Eleanor of England (b. 1215)
Eleanor of England, a name that echoes through the annals of 13th-century English history, was a woman of remarkable lineage and an often tumultuous life. Also known as Eleanor Plantagenet, acknowledging her royal dynasty, or later as Eleanor of Leicester, a title derived from her second marriage, she entered the world in 1215. This was a pivotal year, marking the sealing of the Magna Carta, and her birth made her the youngest child of the controversial King John of England and his queen consort, Isabella of Angoulême. Her long and eventful life concluded on 13 April 1275, leaving behind a complex legacy intertwined with England's political landscape.

Royal Lineage and Early Life

Eleanor's birth into the Plantagenet dynasty positioned her at the very heart of English power, even as her father, King John, faced immense pressure from his barons. Her mother, Isabella of Angoulême, was a powerful heiress in her own right, whose marriage to John had initially been controversial. Eleanor was the youngest of their five legitimate children. Her elder siblings included Henry III, who would succeed their father as King of England, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and two sisters, Joan and Isabella. Growing up within the royal household, Eleanor would have been acutely aware of the political machinations and the shifting allegiances that characterized her family's rule. The Plantagenets were a formidable European dynasty, and Eleanor, though a younger daughter, was a valuable pawn in the intricate game of medieval diplomacy and marriage alliances.

First Marriage and Widowhood

At a young age, possibly around nine or ten, Eleanor embarked on her first significant marital alliance. In 1224, she was wed to William Marshal the Younger, the 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The Marshal family was immensely powerful and influential, holding vast estates and wielding considerable political sway, a legacy inherited from William Marshal the Elder, widely regarded as one of England's greatest knights. This union, however, was tragically short-lived. William Marshal the Younger died just seven years later in 1231, leaving Eleanor a wealthy widow at the tender age of sixteen. Despite her widowhood, Eleanor, according to custom, took a vow of chastity, pledging never to remarry. This vow would later become a significant point of contention.

The Controversial Marriage to Simon de Montfort

Eleanor's vow of chastity was dramatically broken in 1238 when she secretly married Simon de Montfort, a French nobleman who had come to England seeking his inheritance and rapidly rose in royal favour. Simon was subsequently created Earl of Leicester, making Eleanor the Countess of Leicester – hence one of her alternative names, "Eleanor of Leicester." This marriage, conducted without the explicit consent of her brother, King Henry III, and, more critically, without a papal dispensation for her vow of chastity, caused a significant scandal. Henry III was furious, and the marriage required Simon to travel to Rome to seek papal approval, which he eventually secured at great expense. The union itself was a love match, and despite the initial controversy and subsequent political turmoil, it proved to be a fertile and enduring partnership, producing seven children, including Henry, Simon the Younger, Guy, and Amaury de Montfort.

Eleanor's Role in the Barons' War

The marriage to Simon de Montfort ultimately positioned Eleanor at the very heart of England's most significant constitutional crisis of the 13th century: the Barons' War. Simon de Montfort, her husband, became the leading figure among the English barons who sought to curtail the power of her brother, King Henry III, and establish a more accountable form of government. This period, from the late 1250s through the mid-1260s, saw Eleanor actively involved, managing her husband's affairs, securing funds, and providing political support. She was a keen observer and participant in the unfolding events, often acting as a key communicator and administrator while Simon was campaigning. The conflict escalated into open warfare, culminating in Simon de Montfort's victory at the Battle of Lewes in 1264, which effectively made him the de facto ruler of England. During this brief period, Eleanor, as Countess of Leicester, held a prominent position at court.

Defeat, Exile, and Later Life

Simon de Montfort's dominance was short-lived. His radical reforms and increasing authoritarianism alienated many, and royalist forces, led by Eleanor's nephew, Prince Edward (later Edward I), rallied against him. The decisive Battle of Evesham in August 1265 resulted in a crushing defeat for the baronial forces and the brutal death of Simon de Montfort and one of their sons, Henry. This catastrophe left Eleanor a widow for the second time, but this time in a far more perilous position. With her husband and eldest son dead, her family's cause shattered, and facing the wrath of the victorious royalists, Eleanor was forced into exile. She fled to France, taking refuge at the Dominican convent of Montargis, which her sister-in-law, Amice de Montfort, governed as prioress. It was there that she spent her final years, mourning her losses and seeking to ensure the future of her surviving children. She passed away on 13 April 1275, bringing to a close a life marked by privilege, passion, and profound political upheaval.

FAQs about Eleanor of England

Who were Eleanor of England's parents?

Eleanor was the youngest legitimate child of King John of England and his queen consort, Isabella of Angoulême.

Why was she also called Eleanor Plantagenet?

She was called Eleanor Plantagenet because she belonged to the powerful Plantagenet royal dynasty, which ruled England at the time. It signified her direct descent from the ruling house.

Why was she known as Eleanor of Leicester?

She gained the title "Eleanor of Leicester" through her second marriage to Simon de Montfort, who was created the Earl of Leicester. As his wife, she became the Countess of Leicester.

Who was her first husband?

Her first husband was William Marshal the Younger, the 2nd Earl of Pembroke. Their marriage lasted for seven years until his death.

What was controversial about her second marriage?

Her second marriage to Simon de Montfort was controversial for two main reasons: it was conducted secretly without royal consent, and Eleanor had previously taken a public vow of chastity upon the death of her first husband, which required a costly papal dispensation to break.

What was her connection to the Barons' War?

Eleanor was centrally involved in the Barons' War through her husband, Simon de Montfort, who led the baronial opposition against her brother, King Henry III. She supported her husband politically and administratively during the conflict.

Where did Eleanor of England die?

After the defeat of her husband and the baronial cause, Eleanor fled to France and spent her final years in exile at the Dominican convent of Montargis, where she died.