Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine: Founding an Empire

Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine were a medieval power couple who founded the Angevin Empire and drove a wedge between them. This book charts their early lives, the birth of the empire, and the causes of its disintegration.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

After a twenty-year civil war, Henry II ascended to the throne of England in 1154, becoming the first Plantagenet king and the founder of the most successful and longest-ruling dynasty in English history. However, his ascension was not without its challenges. He had married Eleanor of Aquitaine, a feisty, formidable, and powerful woman ten years his senior. Eleanor had previously been married to Louis VII of France for fifteen years before their divorce, only to be angered when she married his young rival. Together, they formed a powerful medieval power couple, adding the ultimate rank of king and queen consort to their list of titles. With their union, the Angevin Empire was born, spreading from Northumberland to the Mediterranean.

Over the years, a wedge grew between the king and his wife, as Henry became fiercely protective of his empire and Eleanor felt restrained in her husband's shadow. Henry imprisoned his wife, fought his elder sons, and pinned his hopes on his youngest son, who ultimately betrayed him. This book charts the early lives of Henry and Eleanor before they became a European power couple and examines the impact of their union on contemporaries and European politics. It explores the birth of the Angevin Empire, which spread from Northumberland to the Mediterranean, and the causes of its disintegration, as well as the troublesome relationships between Henry and his sons, who dragged their father to the battlefield to defend his lands from their ambitious intrigues.

In conclusion, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine were a remarkable couple who played a significant role in English history. Their marriage marked the birth of the Angevin Empire and their tumultuous relationship shaped the course of English politics for centuries. Despite their challenges, their legacy remains a testament to the power of love, ambition, and the complexities of medieval power dynamics.

Weight: 646g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445671567