Eleanor of Provence

Eleanor of Provence
Queen consort of England
Tenure14 January 1236 – 16 November 1272
Coronation20 January 1236
Bornc. 1223
Aix-en-Provence, France
Died24/25 June 1291 (aged 67–68)
Amesbury, Wiltshire, England
Burial
Spouse
(m. 1236; died 1272)
Issue
HouseBarcelona
FatherRamon Berenguer V, Count of Provence
MotherBeatrice of Savoy

Eleanor of Provence (c. 1223 – 24/25 June 1291) was a Provençal noblewoman who became Queen of England as the wife of King Henry III from 1236 until his death in 1272. She served as regent of England during the absence of her spouse in France in 1253.

Although she was completely devoted to her husband and staunchly defended him against the rebel Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, she was very much hated by the Londoners. This was because she had brought many relatives with her to England in her retinue; these were known as "the Savoyards", and they were given influential positions in the government and realm. On one occasion, Eleanor's barge was attacked by angry Londoners who pelted her with stones, mud, pieces of paving, rotten eggs and vegetables.

Eleanor had five children, including the future King Edward I of England. She also was renowned for her cleverness, skill at writing poetry, and as a leader of fashion.


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