A queen between two kingdoms…
Well-known for her title of Duchess of Aquitaine, Eleanor above all wore two royal crowns. Initially married to the King of France (Louis VII, from 1137 to 1152), it was at the side of Henry II Plantagenet that she became Queen of England (from 1154 to 1189). Although her first marriage was annulled due to a lack of male offspring, 6 sons and 3 daughters were born of her second marriage. Among them, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland would in turn ascend to the throne of England.
Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Royal Fortress of Chinon
For several years now, the Royal Fortress of Chinon has been recreating the royal bedroom of Henry II and Eleanor. Painted decor, quilts, seats, chests, a trestle table on which various everyday objects rest… It is surprising to note that the light-coloured furniture is not so far removed from our contemporary references.
The Plantagenêt room ©Stevens Frémont
In the midst of his continental possessions, the King of England and his wife regularly stayed in Chinon. In particular, they came here for Christmas in 1172. A year later, Eleanor returned… under duress. Plotting with her sons against her husband, she was arrested and had to spend 9 months under house arrest in the royal fortress of Chinon, before continuing her captivity in England.
The River Vienne in Chinon
A place of captivity...
900 years since the birth of Eleanor of Aquitaine
To mark this anniversary, from 6 April to 3 November 2024, the fortress will be staging another exhibition in honour of Eleanor. In addition to the bedroom, a kitchen will showcase the preparations for an aristocratic meal and reveal Queen Eleanor’s favourite dishes. These include dried fruit, plum trees from Damascus brought back during the second crusade in which she took part. The crusade was a failure, giving rise to the French expression ‘we’ve done all that for plums’.
And keep in mind that a monument game and an immersive Histopad tour are on offer every day at the Fortress.