Eleanor of England, Countess of Leicester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleanor |
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| Countess of Pembroke; Countess of Leicester | |
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| Born | 1215 Gloucester, Gloucestershire |
| Died | 13 April 1275 Montargis Abbey, France |
| Burial | 13 April 1275 Montargis Abbey, France |
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| House | Plantagenet |
| Father | John, King of England |
| Mother | Isabella of Angoulême |
Eleanor of England was a princess, born in 1215. She was the youngest child of John, King of England and Isabella of Angoulême. She was also known as Eleanor Plantagenet or Eleanor of Leicester. She lived until 1275.
Contents
Eleanor's Early Life
Eleanor was born in Gloucester in 1215. Her father, King John, died when she was just one year old. This meant she never met him. At the time, England was in a difficult period. French forces had taken over London. King John had also been forced to sign the Magna Carta, a very important document that limited the king's power.
Eleanor's older brother, Henry III of England, became king when he was very young. A brave knight named William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke helped protect young King Henry. He led the English forces to defeat the French invaders.
Eleanor's First Marriage
Before William Marshal died in 1219, Eleanor was promised to his son, also named William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. They got married on April 23, 1224, in London. Eleanor was only nine years old, and William was 34.
Sadly, William died just seven years later, in 1231. They did not have any children together.
When Eleanor married William, she brought a dowry with her. A dowry was property or money given by the bride's family. After William died, his brother took all of Eleanor's property. He even sold some of it to pay William's debts. Eleanor spent many years trying to get her property back.
After her husband died, Eleanor made a special promise. She swore an oath to remain unmarried and live a simple life. This promise was made in front of Edmund Rich, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Eleanor and Simon de Montfort
Seven years after her first husband died, Eleanor met Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester. People said Simon was very impressed by Eleanor's beauty and grace. He also knew she came from a powerful royal family and had wealth. They fell in love and secretly married on January 7, 1238. This wedding took place in the King's chapel at Westminster Palace.
Their marriage was quite controversial. This was because Eleanor had sworn an oath to remain unmarried. To get approval for their marriage, Simon traveled to Rome to ask the Pope for permission.
Simon and Eleanor had seven children together:
- Henry de Montfort (born 1238, died 1265)
- Simon de Montfort the Younger (born 1240, died 1271)
- Amaury de Montfort (born 1242 or 1243, died 1300)
- Guy de Montfort, Count of Nola (born 1244, died 1288)
- Joanna (born and died between 1248 and 1251)
- Richard de Montfort (born 1252, died 1281)
- Eleanor de Montfort, Princess of Wales (born 1258, died 1282)
Life During the Barons' War
Simon de Montfort became a very powerful figure in England. He led a group of nobles against King Henry III in what was called the Second Barons' War. Simon won a big victory at the Battle of Lewes in 1264. This made him the unofficial ruler of England.
Simon tried to create a new government. He even set up the first parliament that included representatives from towns. However, he couldn't keep the support of all the other nobles. Some of them switched sides and joined the King's supporters.
Simon was defeated and killed at the Battle of Evesham on August 4, 1265. His son, Henry, also died in this battle. After this terrible loss, Eleanor had to leave England. She went to live in France and became a nun at Montargis Abbey. This abbey was founded by her deceased husband's sister.
Eleanor died on April 13, 1275, and was buried at Montargis Abbey. Even after Simon's defeat, her brother, King Henry III, treated her well. She was allowed to keep her income and pursue legal matters in England.
Eleanor's Daughter
Eleanor's youngest daughter, also named Eleanor de Montfort, married Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was the Prince of Wales. Sadly, she died while giving birth to their only child, Gwenllian of Wales.
After England conquered Wales, Gwenllian was imprisoned by Edward I of England. Edward was Eleanor's first cousin. Gwenllian remained imprisoned until she died in 1337.
Eleanor in Books
Eleanor of England appears as a character in several historical novels.
- She is a main character, called Nell, in Falls the Shadow by Sharon Kay Penman.
- Eleanor is also the main character in Virginia Henley's book The Dragon and the Jewel. This book tells her story from before her first marriage up to the Battle of Lewes. She also appears in Henley's The Marriage Prize.
- Eleanor is a side character in James Blish's novel Doctor Mirabilis.
