The Summer Queen

Upon the death of her father in 1137, Eleanor was elevated to Duchess of Aquitaine.  Her father also made provision for the thirteen year old girl to marry Louis, Prince of France, in his will.  One day she would be a queen.  However, part of the deal was that Aquitaine was to remain independent of France.

Upon meeting Louis’ contingent, Eleanor quickly realises that Archbishop Suger is going to be an ally or a formidable foe; Louis seems to defer to him.  The marriage is quickly consummated, and the new couple begin their progress to Paris.  However, before they can get there, news of the death of Louis’ father arrives.  Their slow journey is sped up.  In Paris, Eleanor finds the mother of Louis, Adelaide, to be overbearing.  However, she will not let her get in the way of who she really is.

Unfortunately, Eleanor miscarries their first child, at the same time that the people of Aquitaine rise up against their new duke and duchess.  Louis quickly puts down the uprising.  It isn’t until several years later that Eleanor is able to conceive again.  The child is a girl.

In 1147, Louis and Eleanor set out to Antioch as part of the Second Crusade.  Eleanor looks forward to seeing her uncle Raymond who is in charge there.  It will not be an easy trip for either.  Upon arrival at Antioch, Eleanor asks Louis for an annulment to their wedding.  Louis refuses and forces her to join her in his trek to Jerusalem.

Upon returning to Europe, Louis has consented to the annulment, however the Pope refuses to grant them one.  With the birth of a second daughter, Louis decides that an annulment is necessary.  As progress is made towards the annulment, men begin to see Eleanor as on object of desire; they want her so that they can possess Aquitaine.    In order to protect herself and Aquitaine, Eleanor agrees to marry Henry, Duke of Normandy, a man nine years her junior.

Henry is preparing to invade England, because he plans to take the throne he regards as his.  However, those plans are set aside when the French attack him because he and Eleanor had not asked Louis permission to wed.  Will Louis defeat the newly wedded couple or will they withstand his onslaught?  And what of their desire to become the king and queen of England?  Can Henry beget a son with Eleanor?

These questions are to be answered in the remaining pages of this novel by author Elizabeth Chadwick.  Well written, it presents the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine well, and in the end leaves the reader wanting to know what will happen in the next two books of this trilogy.  A very good read for fans of historical fiction.