Eleanor, Fair Maid of Brittany

Eleanor, Fair Maid of Brittany, born around 1184, was the eldest daughter of Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany, and Constance, Duchess of Brittany. Her father was the fourth son of Henry II, King of England. Eleanor inherited her younger brother Arthur’s claim to the English throne and was heiress to territories including England, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Brittany. Her claim, however, was never realized due to her imprisonment by her uncle, King John of England, and later her cousin, King Henry III. Despite the potential to rule, her gender and the preference for male monarchs among the barons weakened her position.

Following her father’s death, Eleanor was raised by her uncle Richard I and grandmother Eleanor of Aquitaine. As a potential heiress and Arthur’s elder sister, she was considered a valuable marriage prospect, but her engagements never led to marriage. Upon Richard’s death and Arthur’s capture, John assumed control of Eleanor and kept her imprisoned for the rest of her life. Although she lived in relatively comfortable conditions for a prisoner, she was never freed to press her claims or marry. Her imprisonment is viewed by some historians as an unjust act by King John.