How Old Was Eleanor Of Aquitaine When She Married Louis: Surprising Facts

Why did Henry II choose to marry Eleanor of Aquitaine as his queen? Eleanor, who was already the Queen of France through her marriage to Louis VII, sought a strategic alliance with the powerful House of Anjou and Normandy. To achieve this, she reportedly dispatched an envoy to Henry, the older brother of Geoffrey, Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy, proposing marriage. This proposition held significant political implications, as a union between Eleanor and Henry would strengthen the ties between Aquitaine, Anjou, and Normandy, creating a formidable alliance in medieval Europe.

Surprisingly, Henry agreed to the proposal, and on May 18, 1152, just eight weeks after her marriage to Louis VII was annulled, Eleanor became the wife of Henry II. This union had far-reaching consequences, as it not only solidified their political power but also marked the beginning of a tumultuous yet influential era in English history, characterized by the Angevin Empire’s expansion and the Plantagenet dynasty’s rise to prominence.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, born around 1122 and passing away in 1204, assumed the role of Duchess of Aquitaine and became the wife of the King of France at the age of 15. Her remarkable journey continued as, by the time she reached 30, she had entered into a marriage with the future King of England. This pivotal period in her life occurred on February 4, 115. Eleanor’s historical significance is underscored by her early marriage to the French king and subsequent union with the future English monarch, which shaped the course of her life and had a lasting impact on the medieval European political landscape.