After the dedication, Eleanor saw Bernard privately, probably at her own request. He came prepared to offer more spiritual comfort, thinking that she too might be suffering qualms of conscience over Vitry, but he was...

A husband or wife did not have the right either to demand sex from his or her spouse or to refuse it, and there was a catalogue of forbidden sexual practices, notably homosexuality, bestiality, certain...

If only they would all just leave me alone with my books and my letters, I would be content to let life, and the world pass me by

Giraldus claimed that he had heard about Eleanor’s adultery with Geoffrey from the saintly Bishop Hugh of Lincoln, who had learned of it from Henry II of England, Geoffrey’s son and Eleanor’s second husband. Eleanor...

In this martial world dominated by men, women had little place. The Church’s teachings might underpin feudal morality, yet when it came to the practicalities of life, a ruthless pragmatism often came into play. Kings...

Court life for a queen of France at that time was, however, stultifyingly routine. Eleanor found that she was expected to be no more than a decorative asset to her husband, the mother of his...

But what use was the semblance of power without the substance?

If silences could be pregnant, then this one went to full term.

Often, little brother, there is no smoke without fire.

I prefer to be left alone with my books.

There can have been no doubt in Eleanor’s mind as to what was expected of her as a wife. In her day, women were supposed to be chaste both inside and outside marriage, virginity and...

Perhaps the Queen’s prayers, and those of Bernard, had been efficacious, or perhaps Louise had been more attentive in bed, for during 1145–the exact date is not recorded–she bore a daughter, who was named Marie...