In honor of the release of Queen Defiant: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine
, I am pleased to bring you a guest post by author Anne O'Brien! Queen Defiant
will be out in bookstores tomorrow, so please help me wish Anne a fabulous publication day!
In addition to the lovely article on Eleanor of Aquitaine and her female ancestors, Anne has also graciously offered up 2 copies of Queen Defiant
to my lucky readers (and the giveaway is international!), so be sure to sign up at the end of this post.
Take it away Anne....
Know Your Ancestress ...
The power of women ... (even in the twelfth century)
Is this Eleanor of Aquitaine? I like to think so. I like this depiction of her, and can imagine Eleanor with her crown and lively face and her vibrant uncovered hair. She is not shy. Her raised hand suggests that she is not slow to draw attention to herself. Her gown and mantle are richly coloured. This is the very confident, spirited Eleanor who went crusading against the wishes of her husband Louis VII and demanded an annulment of their marriage.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was heiress to one of the richest domains in medieval Europe. As I was to discover when researching QUEEN DEFIANT
, the men in Eleanor’s family were an interesting bunch, both famous and notorious. They gave strong government, went on Crusade, they waged war on their neighbours and made Aquitaine into the most sophisticated and civilized court in all of western Europe. But more importantly, they married strong minded women. This was Eleanor’s true inheritance. How Eleanor must have enjoyed the tales of her female ancestors ...
There was Azalais, back in the shadowy past long before Eleanor, when life was even more chancy than my heroine discovered it to be. A widowed Countess from the Toulouse branch of the family, she saved her country from invasion by landless riff-raff backed by troops of brigands, by selling herself and her land in marriage to the King of the Franks. We do not know if she enjoyed the experience, but she obviously thought it worth her while. A lady of initiative. Perhaps Eleanor saw in Azalais a lesson for her own marrying to safeguard her beloved Aquitaine.
Emma was wife to William the IV of Aquitaine in the tenth century, and was definitely made of sterner stuff than most women. She must have earned all Eleanor’s admiration. Driven to outrage, Emma embarked on a relentless campaign against her hunting, carousing, drunkenly lecherous husband, and she left him. But not before poisoning his paramours, undermining his good relations with the Church, and finally driving him to take refuge from her and the threat of eternal damnation for his sins in a monastery. Which left Emma to rule Aquitaine alone in the name of her young son, another William. Clearly a lady of remarkable self-confidence and determination. As was Eleanor.
Philippa of Toulouse was Eleanor’s paternal grandmother. Spirited, high minded and unbending, she lived by the principles of duty and obedience to God - until she discovered that her husband William the IX – the Troubadour - had abducted and was living openly with his lover under Philippa’s very nose, in Philippa’s own favourite palace in Poitiers. Philippa complained bitterly to the Pope, but to no avail, and Philippa retired to spend her final days with the nuns at the Abbey of Fontevrault. I do not think Eleanor would have done this. She would not have left the field, but would have waged war against her neglectful husband who dared humiliate her. Eleanor was more likely to make use of Emma’s lethal methods against the upstart whore who usurped her bed.
Yet I imagine Philippa had her moments of satisfaction. Bitter but powerless to seek revenge, she became a close friend to Duke William’s first abandoned wife Ermengarde, also living out her days in disgruntled seclusion in Fontevrault. I imagine they had some salacious tales to swap over a cup of wine, as women will, over Duke William’s morals, his poor judgement when dealing with the female sex, and not least his physical prowess. Sadly for her, Eleanor never knew her.
And Duke William’s infamous whore? This was Dangerosa - a name to conjure with! – who became Eleanor’s maternal grandmother and the most notorious woman in Aquitaine. Originally she was wife to the Viscount of Chatellerault, but presumably saw Duke William IX in full glory of mail and weaponry, and fell in love. So did William, and took measures to satisfy his lust. He abducted Dangerosa from her marital bedchamber - with no obvious protest on Dangerosa’s part - and carried her off to his palace at Poitiers where he established her in the newly constructed Maubergeonne Tower. They were besotted with each other, making no secret of their sinful union. Dangerosa raised her chin at the world’s condemnation of her abandoning husband and children, while Duke William had the lady’s portrait painted on the face of his shield. It was, he boasted, his desire to bear her likeness into battle, as she had borne the weight of his body so willingly and frequently in bed. Eleanor’s grandfather had a strong streak of coarse humour. As for Dangerosa, she never regretted her choice: she remained his mistress until his death. The date of her own death is uncertain but Eleanor would have known her. I wonder what they talked about.
Eleanor’s own mother Aenor did not fit the mould, by all accounts a timid, mouse-like creature who did as she was told without complaint. But there were extenuating circumstances, and I found it easy to have sympathy with her, because Aenor was Dangerosa’s daughter. If Dangerosa could not get Duke William legally into her bed, then her daughter Aenor would get William’s son by Philippa. Eleanor’s family tree is nothing if not complicated. Thus Aenor was wed to William the X, who would become Eleanor’s father; Dangerosa keeping it in the family, if you will. Poor Aenor! Abandoned by a mother who ran off with her lover, bedded by a husband who viewed his father’s mistress’s daughter with less than enthusiasm, Aenor even gave up on life before her time. She died when Eleanor was eight years old: my heroine’s memory of her would have been very incomplete.
And finally here is Eleanor herself, painted in later life in a fresco in the Chapel of St. Radegonde at Chinon where Henry Plantagenet imprisoned her for long months at a time.
Supremely regal, her hair free-flowing and wearing an impressive crown as she rides beside her daughter Joanna, Eleanor is being led away by Henry to imprisonment. I find this a very poignant and moving scene of Eleanor in her mature years. Her face is solemn and strained but she is still very much in control, still the feisty, shocking, intemperate, strong-willed and vital girl who first wed Louis VII. How could she not be, with such an amazing collection of females in her blood?
Painting a picture of Eleanor’s astonishing life and adventures in QUEEN DEFIANT
has been for me the greatest of pleasures.
Find out more about me and Eleanor on my website @ www.anneobrienbooks.com
Visit me on Facebook to keep in touch with what Eleanor is doing @ www.facebook.com/pages/Offical-Fan-Page-of-Anne-OBrien-Books
You can also follow me, and Eleanor, on Twitter.
ABOUT THE BOOK
SYNOPSIS
A riveting novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine's early adult years from the author of The Virgin Widow
.
Orphaned at a young age, Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, seeks a strong husband to keep her hold on the vast lands that have made her the most powerful heiress in Europe. But her arranged marriage to Louis VII, King of France, is made disastrous by Louis's weakness of will and fanatical devotion to the Church. Eleanor defies her husband by risking her life on an adventurous Crusade, and even challenges the Pope himself. And in young, brilliant, mercurial Henry d'Anjou, she finds her soul mate-the one man who is audacious enough to claim her for his own and make her Queen of England.
Orphaned at a young age, Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, seeks a strong husband to keep her hold on the vast lands that have made her the most powerful heiress in Europe. But her arranged marriage to Louis VII, King of France, is made disastrous by Louis's weakness of will and fanatical devotion to the Church. Eleanor defies her husband by risking her life on an adventurous Crusade, and even challenges the Pope himself. And in young, brilliant, mercurial Henry d'Anjou, she finds her soul mate-the one man who is audacious enough to claim her for his own and make her Queen of England.
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
- To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address (only comments with email addresses will be entered in the giveaway).
- Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY!
- For +1 additional entry each, please help spread the word by blogging, posting on sidebar, tweeting or posting on Facebook. You can use the SHARE buttons below.
- Giveaway ends on June 16th.Thanks to Anne O'Brien for the intriguing guest post and for providing the giveaway copies.
Good luck to all!

Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my favorite women in history--I can't wait to read this, even if I don't win a copy.
ReplyDeletethorntonstephanie at hotmail dot com
I would love to win this giveaway and read Eleanor's story! Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteRobin D
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
It is quite refreshing to see an authors research into a historical figures ancestors. This is not something that one is usually aware of and I think it can only add to the pleasure in reading the novel that is partly inspired by it.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I Follow via GFC
Please count me in for this giveaway. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletemystica123athotmaildotcom
This book sounds like a lovely read!
ReplyDeletejanine@landailyn.com
ooh - I'd love to read this!! I remember visiting a castle once that Eleanor of Aquitane had lived in and her private rooms were the most beautiful shade of blue. Thanks for hosting!!
ReplyDelete-Beth
Beth's Book-Nook Blog
drbethnolan@hotmail.com
This book seems interesting :)
ReplyDeleteInfo about your Giveaway is already on my blog's sidebar: http://hopo-hopo.blogspot.com/
Have a nice day!
Ola
olluszka@gmail.com
Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletespamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
What an interesting family! I especially liked Dangerosa, even her name is so cool
ReplyDeleteblodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
Eleanor is a hero of mine. A lady before her time. Can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested to read about Eleanor of Aquitaine. I know very little about her.
ReplyDeletemamabunny13 at gmail dot com
This book sounds great! I'd love to read it!
ReplyDeletemandyy_n@hotmail.com
Tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/77727555486097408
ReplyDeletemamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I shared on facebook-mamabunny shelor
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mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great book on Eleanor of Aquitaine's younger life before marriage.
ReplyDeleteI've never read a book about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and I'm getting super curious about her. This book sounds like a good place to start!
ReplyDeleteteralynpilgrim at yahoo dot com.
My jaw dropped as I read the synopsis of "Queen Defiant." What an strong and open woman surrounded by other family like her. I do so love history and especially books that detail the early days. As well, I am awed by the amazing amount of research that the author has done in preparation for writing the novel. I look forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteConnie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
I would love to read more about her. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMargaret
singitm@hotmail.com
Thank you so much for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteTweet
http://twitter.com/#!/Misha_1989/status/77742346762063872
FB
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=228696630489826&id=630067989
mishamary@gmail.com
Definitely a historical figure worthy of good fiction. I read a biography of her . . . will look forward to reading the novel. Maybe I'll even be lucky and win a copy.
ReplyDeletedeborah.batterman@gmail.com
I love reading about history. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteWow, she definitely seems like a fascinating figure. I don't know very much about Eleanor but what I know, I like.
ReplyDeleteabookishaffair(at)gmail(dot)com
Sign me up for this one!
ReplyDeletecmdaphne(at)tds(dot)net
This book looks fascinating! I'd love to win it.
ReplyDeletesnowflakes2hotcakes {at} gmail {dot} com
I would love to read this!
ReplyDeletethank you
I shared on:
facebook
twitter
google buzz
kaiminani at gmail dot com
love Eleanor of Aquitaine! would love a chance to win/read this!
ReplyDeletethanks!
sensitivemuse at gmail dot com
How can I pass up a chance to read about Eleanor?! Enter me please!
ReplyDeletebeth-martin AT live DOT com
+1 I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/taekwondobabe/status/77802960226238464
I would LOVE to win this book !
ReplyDeleteLynda716@hotmail.com
Eleanor is one of my favorite people in history. Would like to read this book
ReplyDeletetmrtini at gmail dot com
I would love to read 'A Queen Defiant'. It kind of bouys me up to read about strong women who stand up for what they believe in.
ReplyDeleteMy Twitter name is Carolee888 and I tweeted:
http://www.passagestothepast.com/2011/06/guest-post-by-anne-obrien-2-copy.html? Giveaway of 'A Queen Defiant'.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I would love to read this.
ReplyDeletegardnerad@juno.com
Favorite queen of all time! I can't read enough about her!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance, Amy!
talia_09(at)yahoo(dot)com
I really enjoyed the post on Eleanor's genealogy. Royalty's family trees are so convoluted and connected, it's a maze just trying to figure out all of the connections.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post and givesway!
ashley.l.mikowski@gmail.com
Thank you for including me. =)
ReplyDeletetiredwkids at live dot com
Please enter me in the giveaway. This looks like a great book.
ReplyDeletejustpeachy36@yahoo.com
I would love to read this story. Historical fiction is a delight.
ReplyDeleteclenna at aol dot com
I have been interested in Eleanor of Aquitaine for many years and I have read several biographies of her.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading this book as I really enjoyed Virgin Widow and wish to see Anne O'Brien's take on Eleanor.
I would love to win this book as I can't afford to buy it as I'm not currently employed.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1045412162
celticlady45 at hotmail dot com
I am reading everything I can get my hands on about Eleanor! Thanks so much for this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAmy
tiger_fan_1997 AT yahoo DOT com
Can't wait to read this...thanks. Peta. petakev@optusnet.com.au
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this... Peta. petakev@optusnet.com.au
ReplyDeleteI'd love to enter! This book sounds like a great historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteaikychien at yahoo dot com
Here’s my tweet:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/aikchien/status/78005800471244800
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I love all things Eleanor of Aquitaine! I can't get enough of her. I REALLY want to read this book. Thanks for this awesome giveaway
ReplyDelete+1 I tweeted via share buttons.
taylor_ward11@yahoo.com
I just learned that I LOVE Eleanor. What an amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteI placed an entry in my sidebar. http://themusingsofabookjunkie.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Allisonmharper@hotmail.com
I'm intrigued by stories of powerful women throughout history. Please enter me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeletechipotlecraving(at)gmail(dot)com
I remember reading about "Dangereuse", as she was called in French, in French history class. She was also, like Eleanor, a patroness of the Arts as well as a sexual dynamo. A woman ahead of her time. Please enter me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteannfesATyahooDOTcom
I tweeted this giveaway (@Softfuzzysweatr)
ReplyDeleteI facebooked this giveaway as well(Anne Fescharek)
ReplyDeleteEleanor of Aquitaine is my all-time favorite historical figure. Can't wait to read about her female relatives!
ReplyDeleteDeniseincoralsprings@gmail.com
Thanks so much for the fascinating post and for the chance to enter this giveaway. It sounds like a truly fascinating book about my favourite historical figure :)
ReplyDeleteMy email dmsires@activ8.net.au
Rena,
ReplyDeleteQueen Eleanor is one of the most fascinating woman of the Middle Ages. She was a powerhouse in her own right and founded a dynasty. We don't seem to know quite as much about her early life and this book seems to focus more on it. I'd love a chance to win. I shared on my facebook wall and am a long time follower.
rena.mcgrath@yahoo.com
hi, thanks for the chance of a book, just been put onto by a friend and love your first historical book.
ReplyDeleterochelle.willis@paradise.net.nz
Thanks Amy & Anne!!!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the draw - many thanks.
mzmelisende at gmail dot com
And thanks for making this available to those of us not in UK or US.
Thank you for yet another fabulous giveaway. The books you showcase are amazing.
ReplyDeleteJules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com
I'd love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletemittens0831 at aol dot com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/80016474537865216
mittens0831 at aol dot com
What a wonderfully informative post. Thank you so much for the history of Eleanor's female ancestors. With those ladies in her lineage, she was destined to be strong and independent. She was a fascinating woman and it will be great finding out more about her.
ReplyDeleteYou were lucky to get such a lovely cover.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
I tweeted this giveaway.
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/pbbearclaw/status/80101901005369344
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
I shared this on Facebook.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=217671008253463&id=1505535916
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
Will always be in awe of historical figures as topics in a fiction book. Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of them and it's great to know more about her. :)
ReplyDeleteLaBellaVita(dot)Ivy (at) gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a very interesting book. I would really enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Love all books about Eleanor...would love to win this for sure. Thanks Amy
ReplyDeleteFondly, Roberta
rlphibr13@aol.com
Just shared this giveaway on Facebook and Twitter.
ReplyDeleterlphilbr13@aol.com
Have added this giveaway to my sidebar.
ReplyDeleterlphilbr13@aol.com
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/love_shack_nonsense/
Have read a little about Eleanor of Aquitaine & would love to read this book to learn more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
I love Eleanor! Never enough historical fiction about this fascinating lady.
ReplyDeletelacvc4 @ gmail.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home
Twitter @lacvc4
Thanks a bunch. Fingers are crossed.
Lori
Eleanor has been my favorite Queen (alongside Mary, Queen of Scots) since I saw Katherine Hepburn portray her in "The Lion in Winter" when it first came out! Eleanor was a woman who was "born before her time" who had the spirit and the will to hold her own in a man's world...the only problem being that the "man's world" was too ingrained in society at the time Eleanor lived!
ReplyDeleteShe was tempered in steel and honestly I would have liked for her and Elizabeth I to have met. LOl. I think Eleanor would have taken Elizabeth down a peg or two or three.
momrobare@yahoo.com
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