▻ The Queen Who Taught The English How to Drink – Eleanor of Aquitaine
Jane Anson in conversation with Stéphane Bern
Episode Summary:-
As we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth the Second, we look back to a remarkable Queen of England (and France) who played a major part in bringing the wines of Bordeaux to England. Jane Anson talks to Stéphane Bern, France’s leading historian on royalty, TV presenter and author, about the remarkable Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was married firstly to the French King Louis the Seventh from 1137 to 1152, and then to King Henry the Second of England from 1154 to 1189. Eleanor was the Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right from 1137 to her death in 1204.
Jane has just attended a dinner staged by Château d’Issan at Kensington Palace. She explains that it is believed that the wines served at Eleanor of Aquitaine’s wedding to the future English King, Henry the Second, came from the land which is now the estate of Château d’Issan. To celebrate this historic link between France and Britain, Château d’Issan have organised a series of dinners at royal venues in Britain.
Stéphane Bern explains how Eleanor is “the Grandmother of Europe” – one of the most remarkable aspects of her life was her longevity. At a time when most people died in their 40s and 50s, Eleanor lived to 82 years of age. Stéphane says, “Eleanor was very attractive, because she was bold, spirited, well-read, quite modern and at the same time rebellious.” She had inherited one of the largest territories in France, and one of its major exports was wine. She travelled widely and brought literature and music to the royal court of France when she married Louis the Seventh at the age of 15.
Eleanor was the daughter of William the Tenth, Duke of Aquitaine, who had no sons to inherit his vast lands and fortune. He arranged the marriage of his daughter to Louis the Seventh and she first met her future husband on the day of her wedding in 1137. Stéphane explains, “Happiness is a very modern word and concept, at that time you didn’t marry to be happy, you just married because you wanted to assure your possessions, to keep your power.” The marriage was not happy, the couple divorced, and Eleanor swiftly turned to the future heir to the crown of England, Henry Plantagenet, who had much more personality than Louis.
For many years Eleanor and Henry were very happy; Eleanor left France for Britain, giving birth to five sons and three daughters. Eleanor also brought wine to the English royal court, especially claret. In her reign more than four times the amount of wine was imported into Britain than today. Stéphane says, “If the English drink wine, it’s thanks to Eleanor.” Back in France, she spent most of her time in Poitiers and not much in Bordeaux, though such is her fame and esteem that there are many properties which claim a connection to her. What is believed is she did promote the wines of Bordeaux.
Unfortunately, Henry the Second became jealous of his wife, and Stéphane reveals the difficulties that befell her, including being imprisoned by her husband for 16 years. She also witnessed the wars between her sons, terrible for any woman. She remained powerful to the end, marrying off her grandchildren in key strategic alliances. There are few royal families in Europe who cannot trace their roots back to this remarkable woman, the only woman who has been Queen of both France and England.
“”If the English drink wine, it is thanks to Eleanor.” ”
Running Order:-
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0.00 – 17.01
“She was a seductive woman, blonde, fair complexion, slim, very joyful woman, fine tastes. She seduced and influenced men and women.”
– Jane Anson attends Château d’Issan dinner to commemorate the 870th wedding anniversary of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry the Second of England on 18th May 1152, whose nuptials were celebrated with the wine of Château d’Issan (formerly Lamothe-Cantenac).
– Stéphane Bern describes the young Eleanor, rebellious and powerful heiress.
– The marriage of Eleanor to Louis the Seventh of France.
– Eleanor divorced and marries Henry Plantagenet, heir to the English crown. -
17.02 – 36.48
“The Plantagenet dynasty is very important in France, we have a lot of links which today are so vivid.”
– The marriage of Eleanor to Henry the Second.
– Henry the Second declares war against Eleanor.
– The war between Eleanor’s children.
– Eleanor’s imprisonment.
– Her influence in bringing wine into England.
– Eleanor’s Bordeaux connection.
– Her role in strategically marrying off her grandchildren.
The second part of our deep-dive into Bordeaux 2023 – a vintage Bordeaux lovers will love.