Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) ruled some of the richest areas of Europe such as Aquitaine and England. His spirit and way of governing caused “ripples in 12th-century society.” She experienced a privileged childhood and was born into a wealthy family, but in difficult times. During this period, women held a subordinate role in society, as they were considered the weaker gender. Very few women received an education; instead they learned domestic skills at home. Eleanor and her mother were two notable exceptions. Eleanor learned to read in Bertran de Born [the language of Aquitaine] and also received lessons in Latin. She enjoyed the arts and especially loved music. Apart from this he learned government skills from his father. In 1137, when Eleanor was thirteen, her father died and she became one of the most important women in Europe. He inherited Poitou in the north, Gascony in the south, Bordeaux and Bayonne, Saintonage, Périgord, Angoulême, Limousin, Auvergne and La Marche. During the Middle Ages, Eleanor of Aquitaine ruled using romance, manipulation, and her influence over others to secure positions of power for her and her family. His political power and actions redefined and influenced the roles of his successors. Regardless of status, women often married for political reasons, not for love. During her reign, Eleanor used romance and charm to secure her role in society. This helped her become Queen of France at the age of fifteen. On 25 July 1137, Eleanor married Louis le Jeune [Louis VI's only surviving son] following the death of her father and his inheritance earlier that year. After the death of Louis VI, Eleanor and Louis were crowned king and queen of France on 25 December 1137. They then moved to Paris and...... middle of paper ......u.edu/world/PeopleView . cfm?PID=394.On this website, Ohio State University expert Roberto Naranjo provides excellent information on Eleanor's relationship with Richard along with her marriages to Louis le Jeune and Duke Henry of Normandy. This website is very specific and there were many helpful dates and locations to create a general timeline of when and where the events took place. Weir, Alison. Eleanor of Aquitaine: a life. New York: Ballantine Books, 2000. In Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life, Alison Weir provides excellent background information on Europe, particularly England and Aquitaine, the role of women, and education. There was also great information about Eleanor's education and childhood. Weir also writes about Eleanor and Henry, as well as the rebellion against Henry and Eleanor's time as a prisoner. Overall, this was the most helpful source.