Eleonore and co at Fontevraud
Mission accomplished! I found the three powerbrokers of the 12th century! Eleonore, Henry, Richard. Plus a daughter-in-law, the wife of John.
Eleonore of Aquitaine was one hell of a woman, she was married to two kings, father of three kings, and her daughters were married into crowns of their own. Behind the scenes she ran it all, right up until she was 80 or so and finally got to relax for a bit here in the monastery before she died. The book thing: she was famous for reading so much, knowledge became her symbol of power here on her tombstone. Richard has a sword, Henry has one of those sticks that kings carry.
By way of background. Husband Henry is the one famous for killing Thomas Beckett. Son Richard is the one famous for being the lionheart. Son John is the magna carta guy, also famous from Robin Hood.
And a beautiful bike ride back too, took the long way home downhill through farms and fields and along the river. With a boulangerie stop, because its never too late for a pain au chocolat…
📍 Fontevraud Abbey, Loire, France 🇫🇷
