The fates of the Capets and the Plantagenets remained intertwined and connected for generations. In love or in war, theirs was a constant competition for control of lands and titles in what would become modern France.
Though Eleanor is often demonised in the histories of the times, blamed for everything that ever went wrong in the life of Louis Capet, I cannot help but believe that history is not kind to extraordinary women who step outside the boundaries of society’s expectations of them. And I chose to see Henry as an enthusiastic young man, about to set out to pursue all of his dreams, in search of a woman who could be his equal. If he decided later that he did not want such a woman, we can’t blame her for it!
As their marriage progressed, Henry and Eleanor produced eight (or possibly nine) children, sons and daughters who inherited various parts of their family empire or who were married off to strengthen bonds with other important and powerful families. Most readers tend to remember only two of them—Richard and John. Divided by contention and favouritism, Henry’s sons were never content and eventually saw almost all of their lands on the continent lost and only England remain under their control.
But, at the beginning of it all, a marriage between an older woman and a younger man, a duchess and a duke, a count and a countess, began, I believe, with enthusiasm, anticipation and a bit of love. I hope you enjoyed the story of their royal wedding.
For readers seeking more of the historical details about this time period and this particular marriage, let me suggest two of the books I use when writing in this time period: The Knight, the Lady and the Priest: The Making of Modern Marriage in Medieval France by Georges Duby, and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings by Amy Kelly.
Those readers familiar with my previous historical romances should recognise the man who facilitates the delicate negotiations between Henry and Eleanor—Godfroi. In The King’s Mistress, he is known as Godfrey and has indeed entered God’s service. By the time of that story, he is abbot of a large monastery in northern England and counsellor to the hero, Orrick of Silloth-on-Solway, as well as to an older but not much wiser Henry II of England. It was fun for me to go back and see how Godfroi helped in this marriage. He is, of course, a fictional character, created for these stories and not based on any real person, though I suspect there must have been someone like him who helped things along.
Happy reading!
Terri Brisbin
On April 29th 2011 the world will be waiting with bated breath for Prince William and Kate Middleton to say ‘I do’!
The bells at Westminster Abbey are chiming, the carriage is waiting and THE dress has finally been unveiled… So join Her Majesty by dusting off your best hat as you prepare for the wedding of the decade!
To celebrate this historic event, Mills & Boon have created a special ebook collection:
Royal Weddings
…through the ages
Read about the future king’s ancestors and the people who helped bring their special days together.
7 couples, 7 marriages, 7 stories for you to enjoy!
What the Duchess Wants by Terri Brisbin
Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine and Henry of Anjou (future Henry II), 1152
Lionheart’s Bride by Michelle Willingham
King Richard and Princess Berengaria, 1191
Prince Charming in Disguise by Bronwyn Scott
Prince George and Caroline of Ansbach, 1704
A Princely Dilemma by Elizabeth Rolls
George, Prince of Wales (future Prince Regent/George IV) and Princess Caroline of Brunswick, 1795
The Problem with Josephine by Lucy Ashford
Napoleon and Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, 1810
Princess Charlotte’s Choice by Ann Lethbridge
Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, 1816
With Victoria’s Blessing by Mary Nichols
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, 1840
So if you can’t wait until the 29th for your royal wedding fix…download one now!
Terri Brisbin is wife to one, mother of three, and dental hygienist to hundreds when not living the life of a glamorous romance author. She was born, raised, and is still living in the southern New Jersey suburbs. Terri’s love of history led her to write time-travel romances and historical romances set in Scotland and England. Readers are invited to visit her website for more information at www.terribrisbin.com, or contact her at PO Box 41, Berlin, NJ 08009-0041.
Look for His Enemy’s Daughter
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TERRI BRISBIN
The Dumont Bride #634
The Norman’s Bride #696
The Countess Bride #707
The Christmas Visit #727
“Love at First Step”
The King’s Mistress #735
The Betrothal #749
“The Claiming of Lady Joanna”
The Duchess’s Next Husband #751
The Maid of Lorne #786
Taming the Highlander #807
The Earl’s Secret #831
Surrender to the Highlander #886
Possessed by the Highlander #910
One Candlelit Christmas #919
“Blame It On the Mistletoe”
*The Conqueror’s Lady #954
*The Mercenary’s Bride #1002
*His Enemy’s Daughter #1034
And in Harlequin Historical Undone eBook:
*A Night for her Pleasure
ISBN:978-1-4592-0415-7
What the Duchess Wants
Copyright © 2011 by Theresa S. Brisbin
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*The Knights of Brittany
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