Dig History and Archaeology Magazine for Kids and Children March 2016

5 Engaging Eleanor Facts 1 Although their marriage was troubled, Eleanor and Henry II were buried near each other in Fontevraud Abbey (see pages 32–33). 2 At age 15, Eleanor inherited a large amount of land, making her just about the most desirable candidate for marriage in Europe. 3 Eleanor lived into her eighties, and at the end of her life, she became a nun at Fontevraud Abbey. 4 At age 29, Eleanor participated in the Second Crusade. As unconventional as it was for a woman to partake in the Crusade, Eleanor made even more of a scene by recruiting more than 300 of her ladies to come along. 5 Eleanor of Aquitaine was constantly pregnant when she was married to Henry. They had eight children—two of whom became kings themselves! About the cover: Beautiful, young,…

When a Third Crusade was proposed in the late 1180s to regain Christian control of Jerusalem, an English prince named Richard wanted to go. He was heir to the British throne, and his father, Henry II, knew about the first two Crusades. He also knew that such military pilgrimages to the Holy Land cost enormous amounts of money. To raise the funds, Henry imposed a tithe—that is, he demanded 10 percent of every citizen’s annual earnings. But he died in 1189 and never did see the Crusade set out. Richard succeeded him and used the money his father had collected, as well as revenue from other fees he imposed on his subjects, to fund the crusade. The year was now 1190, and… Richard was ready to set out for Jerusalem. After appointing…

Before she was Eleanor of Aquitaine, she was simply Aenor, eldest child of William X, Duke of Aquitaine and Aenor of Chatellerault. Named for her mother, the younger Aenor was known as “Alienor,” a nickname derived from a pun. In Latin, alia Aenor means “the other Aenor.” Eleanor, as we refer to her today, was a charming and spirited girl, known for her sharp wit. No one expected that she would one day rule Aquitaine. As inheritance usually passed from father to eldest son, Eleanor’s younger brother seemed destined for that honor. But, when Eleanor was eight years old, Eleanor’s mother and brother died suddenly. The other Aenor now stood next in line for her father’s estate. And what an inheritance it would be! William’s domain included the regions of Aquitaine,…

The adjective “Angevin” pertains originally to the County of Anjou in northwestern France. The title “Count of Anjou” was first bestowed in the ninth century. In English history, the term is used to refer to the kings of England who were also counts of Anjou: Henry II (1154–1189), Richard I (1189–1199), and John (1199–1216). » An Empire Forms The combination of the two titles was a result of dynastic alliance, inheritance, and civil war. When Henry I of England died unexpectedly in 1135, he left no male heir. A contest for power followed when the English lords divided their loyalties between Matilda, Henry’s daughter, and Stephen of Blois, Henry’s nephew. A long civil war (1135–1154) between these rival claimants to the throne resulted in a stalemate. Matilda was supported in the conflict…

On Easter Day in 1146, after hearing an impassioned appeal delivered by the famed churchman Bernard of Clairvaux, Louis VII of France knelt to receive the emblem of Crusade, a cross sewn upon the shoulder of his mantle. Beside him was his wife, Eleanor, vowing to take her vassals to join the battle for the Holy Land. As they stood, cries of “To Jerusalem!” rang in the air from the tremendous crowd. The Crusades may be described… as a series of armed pilgrimages. The tradition of pilgrimage had a long history within Christendom. Travel to holy places, especially areas associated with scenes from the life of Christ and the early Christian church, were viewed as opportunities for spiritual renewal and rendering service to God. The Christian Byzantine Empire encouraged and supported such…

Two months after her divorce from the king of France, Eleanor married Henry Plantagenet, heir to the English throne. The two were attracted to one another, but their strong-willed tempers led to a stormy marriage. Eleanor did, however, recognize Henry’s courage and good political judgment. When King Stephen of England died in 1154, 21-year-old Henry became king, and Eleanor became queen. Some 13 years later, Eleanor moved to her own lands in Poitiers, France. The year was 1167, and Eleanor was now the mother of eight children. Six years later, three of her sons rebelled against Henry. Why Eleanor opposed her husband is unclear, but records do show that she helped her sons plot the revolt. Henry’s troops captured Eleanor, disguised as a nobleman and riding a horse. Henry then imprisoned…