Eleanor of Castile

Eleanor of Castile was Queen of England through her marriage to Edward I and ruled as Countess of Ponthieu in her own right. Born into the Castilian royal family, she married Edward in 1254 to cement English claims over Gascony. The couple shared a close relationship, and Eleanor was actively involved in Edward’s political life, especially post the Second Barons’ War. She accompanied him on the Ninth Crusade, where he was wounded. Despite her early death, Eleanor’s independent wealth influenced the role of future English queens.

She was known for her property dealings, acquiring lands through transactions that capitalized on the financial distress of others, which tarnished her reputation. Eleanor’s cultural impact was significant; she was a patron of literature, the arts, and religious institutions. Her death prompted the construction of the Eleanor crosses, and her life has been subject to contrasting historical interpretations, ranging from a dedicated queen to a scheming foreigner.