Just thought I would add this image of Eleanor that was painted by one of my favorite artists, Kinuko Y. Craft.
Eleanor was, from all accounts, one of the most successful woman in the history of world politics. She married twice and both times she managed to out maneuver, or at least try, her royal husbands. This was a woman who knew what she wanted and did not hesitate to go after it. She controlled vast estates and armies as well she her son’s (Richard the Lion Hearted) lands when he was out on Crusade. She also arranged two of her sons’ marriages to women that she choose for them.
Eleanor was the consummate politician. She was perfectly willing to do what it took to get the job done. The fact that this infuriated the men in her life was just the icing on the cake for her. For a woman who gained control of her own lands and life at the age of 15 and who lived to be 82, this was quite an accomplishment. She outlived all but 2 of her 10 children.
Here is a web page on Eleanor from Wikipedi