The Most Powerful Woman in the World

Her life had more drama and plot twists than any fictional tale Hollywood could ever dream up for her. During her lifetime she was quite possibly the most powerful woman in the world. She broke the gender boundaries of her generation and yet still managed to work within her culture to achieve her goals. Ruler of her own vast lands, she ended up becoming queen of first France and then later of its bitter rival, England. Not content to sit at home while the men went off to war, she went along with her husband on a crusade to free the Holy Land. She survived dangers, intrigues, a revolt that she possibly helped mastermind, and years as a prisoner. And if this was not enough, she fathered two of the most famous kings from English history and literature, Richard the Lion-hearted and his scheming brother, John. Although virtually unremembered today except by students of history, Eleanor of Aquitaine was truly a wonder in her time.

To read more about this fascinating figure from history, please follow the links below.

http://www.royalty.nu/Europe/England/Angevin/Eleanor.html

http://www.historynet.com/magazines/british_heritage/3034121.html

http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine2.html