APRIL 2015
Dami Block H
Who is the independent medieval woman of this month?
INDEPENDENT WOMEN OF
THE MEDIEVAL WORLD
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Previous Knowledge on Eleanor ……………………………….2 What I Wanted to Know on Eleanor ………………………….3 What I Learned on Eleanor ……………………………………...3 Vocabulary ……………………………………………………………..3 Vocabulary 2 …………………………………………………………..4 What is Success? ……………………………………………………..4 Bias Article ……………………………………………………………..5
INDEPENDENT WOMEN OF THE MEDIEVAL WORLD QUEEN ELEANOR (OF AQUITAINE) BOOK BY POLLY SCHOYER BROOKS
Born in the Duchy of Aquitaine, Eleanor became the queen of France and England, raising ten children and ultimately outliving them. Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was an independent spirit that ruled over two kingdoms and the powerful land of Aquitaine. She also brought the idea of chivalry and respect of women into the medieval world. Despite the negative views on the female sex and her lack of experience, Eleanor developed into one of the wisest and intelligent women in the medieval world. Eleanor’s outspoken and free nature helped her achieve political power. Also, she was widely loved and known for her justified and wise decisions, as she also enforced new laws. Eleanor was so loved that she was portrayed as the beautiful and fair Queen Guinevere in the Arthurian tales made influenced by Eleanor’s courts of love.
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE ON ELEANOR 1) The time period of Eleanor’s reign was during the feudal world. 2) Eleanor was the queen of France and England.
Queen Eleanor
WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW ON ELEANOR 1) How did Eleanor become queen? 2) How did she affect the male-centered society? 3) What kingdoms/duchies did she rule? 4) Who were her favorite children? 5) At what age and how did she die?
“’She enhanced the grandeur of her birth by the honesty of her life...She surpassed almost all the queens in the world’” (Eleanor’s Last Adventure, 166). VOCABULARY troubadour (10) a French medieval poet singing and composing on courtly love docilely (13) to be accepting of control or instruction impeccable (38) in the highest standards annihilate (40) destroy utterly stalwart (79) loyal or hard-working
WHAT I LEARNED ON ELEANOR 1) Queen Eleanor's first husband was quiet and very religious. 2) Queen Eleanor was disliked by strictly religious men because of her extravagance. 3) Eleanor's uncle Raymond was the prince of Antioch, which increased her knowledge of the arts, and was a good friend to her. 4) Eleanor and her lady friends owned well-trained falcons. 5) Eleanor's love rival of Henry was Rosamond the Fair. 6) Eleanor encouraged the arts, especially the chivalry of knights. 7) Eleanor's favorite children were Richard and Henry. 8) "Ladies first" comes from the courts of love Eleanor made. 9) Eleanor was kept prisoner by Henry for fifteen years in the Salisbury Castle.
3
10) Eleanor chose Blanche, the mother of Louis IX as the future princess of France.
VOCABULARY (2) brigands (99) a gang that robs people in the forest boorishness (107) coarse and unmannerly
Is success simply achieving a win?
WHAT IS SUCCESS? The meaning of success for Queen Eleanor was having great political power. In that aspect, Eleanor was successful, as she became the queen of England and France, as well as Duchess of Aquitaine. However, she was unable to spend leisurely time, such as having family time or hanging out with friends. I think that success is not just having power in the society or being rich and prosperous, but also achieving goals, having happiness, and having a healthy body and mind.
portcullis (119) a strong heavy grating lowered down to block a gateway crossbow (148) a medieval bow with a wooden support, bolt, and mechanisms to pull and release the string reconnoiter (149) make a military observation
4
IMAGE SOURCES Page 0: http://goo.gl/ DOYM3S Page 1: http://goo.gl/ UGyrgl Page 2: http://goo.gl/ KMRxZC Page 3: http://goo.gl/ rhn2nL Page 4: http://goo.gl/ gEsIYa Page 5: http://goo.gl/ vZVsXZ
BIAS ARTICLE SOURCE
BIAS ARTICLE ON ELEANOR This article is biased towards Eleanor because it does not state the many faults of Eleanor, but highlights only her best qualities. An example of a biased statement is, “Endowed with intelligence, creative energy and a remarkably long life, Eleanor of Aquitaine played a major role in the 12th century.” Not only is this article biased, it is also inaccurate. There are some statements made on Eleanor, listed as facts that are based on rumors from the 12th century, which have not been confirmed true.
http:// britishheritage.com/ eleanor-of-aquitaine/
The lands of Eleanor are what is labeled The Plantagenet Dominions, also known as Henry II’s territory.