MEDIÆVAL QUEENS

The role of queens in the Middle Ages was ill-defined. On the one hand, although legal customs (eg the right to own property) varied from place to place, women were everywhere treated as second-class citizens. On the other, queens were the only people in the world guaranteed uninterrupted "face time" (to use a very un-mediæval expression) with kings, namely in the marital bed. True, this opportunity might only last until such time as the queen had produced a male heir. However, queens were often put in charge of their childrens' education; so if you could no longer influence the current ruler, then you might well be able to influence the next.

The uncertainty surrounding queens' status could thus be exploited by forceful women. One such was Eleanor of Aquitaine, who inherited the province from her father, and then proceeded to marry in succession the King of France, Louis VII (by whom she had only daughters) and the King of England, Henry II (by whom she had five sons and three daughters). Her influence over her sons was a constant thorn in Henry's side (see the film the Lion in Winter), and he had her imprisoned for supporting the revolt of the eldest. But she survived to become regent of England during Richard the Lionheart's time away on crusade, and lived to be more than 80, a remarkable age for the time. If Eleanor was an example of realpolitik, other queens obtained influence through religion. For example, Kunigunde of Luxemburg, the wife of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II, was renowned for her piety, and was later made a saint by the Pope.

One thing everybody in the Middle Ages could agree on was that becoming a queen was by far the best career option for a girl. It was accordingly something that noble families tried very hard to exploit. The Habsburgs were good at it; but the winner's prize must surely go to Raymond Berenger V of Provence. A mere count in an era of emperors, kings and dukes, he had the misfortune to have four daughters and no sons. Yet the daughters married in turn King Louis IX of France, King Henry III of England, Henry's brother Richard (who became King of the Romans) and Louis' brother Charles (who became King of Sicily). They were fertile and lived long, thereby extending their influence into the next generation. And they used their position to secure titles and positions for their extended family, including an Archbishop of Canterbury and assorted bishops. An impressive example of social climbing. 

Walter Blotscher