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Eleanor of Provence photo by Mary Howitt

Top 10 Facts about Eleanor of Provence

Eleanor of Provence, a French noblewoman, was Queen of England from 1236 to 1272 while she was King Henry III’s wife. In 1253, she presided as England’s regent while her husband was away.

She was fiercely protective of her husband despite the rebel Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, despite being entirely devoted to her spouse. This was due to the fact that she brought a large group of relatives—known as “the Savoyards”—to England in her entourage who were then given powerful posts in the realm and administration. Angry Londoners once attacked Eleanor’s barge, throwing rotten eggs, vegetables, mud, stones, and pieces of asphalt at her.

One of Eleanor’s five children was the future Edward I of England. She was also well known for her wit, poem-writing prowess, and role as a fashion icon.

Here are the Top 10 Facts about Eleanor of Provence

1. She ruled England as queen from 1236 to 1272

Head of Eleanor of Provence in Westminster Abbey Photo by Unknown

On June 22, 1235, Eleanor became King Henry III’s fiancée. On January 14, 1236, they were wed. Archbishop Edmund Rich performed the marriage ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral. Eleanor received the title of “queen consort of England” at a ceremonial ceremony performed at Westminster Abbey. The subsequent lavish dinner was attended by the entire aristocracy. Eleanor of Provence, a member of the French nobility, ruled France as King Henry III’s wife from 1236 until his death in 1272. When her husband was absent in 1253, she served as England’s regent.

2. Eleanor of Provence was fiercely despised by Londoners

Despite her steadfast love for her husband and her strong defense of him against the rebel Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, she was despised by Londoners. This was because she brought a sizable family to England with her, the “Savoyards,” who were later given important positions in the realm and government. On one occasion, angry Londoners attacked Eleanor’s barge and hurled rotten eggs, vegetables, dirt, stones, and pieces of asphalt at her.

3. She had 5 children

There were five children born to Henry and Eleanor: (born in 1239, succeeded his father in 1272) Edmund, earl of Lancaster, born in 1245, Beatrice, born in 1242, and Katharine, who lived for less than four years between 1253 and 1257. Margaret, born in 1240, married Alexander III of Scotland in 1251. She was also an excellent mother. Four further sons who also died in infancy may have been born to Eleanor, but their existence is disputed because there is no current proof of them.

4. Eleanor was renowned for her intelligence as well

Eleanor of Provence, queen of England photo by an unknown author

Due to her essentially European outlook and the influence of her Savoyard connections at the English court, Eleanor would play a significant political role in the disputes between her husband, her son, and the baronage. In times of need, she counseled her husband to summon contingents of foreign knights. Because of her determination and perseverance in liberating her husband and son from the English baron Simon de Montfort’s authority, she made a crucial contribution to his demise.

Eleanor would rely less on her English servants and more on her Savoyard uncles, who were all accomplished and successful statesmen. Her political and personal mentors were five of her mother’s brothers, who were firmly rooted in the English church and government.

She was a gifted diplomat and shrewd banker who accomplished much for Henry to maintain his monarchy. She committed herself wholeheartedly to her many and varied duties, never challenging or opposing the king’s authority but always acting in his best interests and, consequently, that of Edward, his son, and heir.

5. She was a  professional Poet 

Her father was a famous troubadour, and her mother was a poet. She had learned to love the songs of the troubadours as a child, and this affection had persisted into adulthood. Eleanor was said to have written an epic poem herself. Her father’s major-domo and her teacher were Romeo de Villeneuve. He was also in charge of planning lovely weddings for her and her sisters.

Eleanor grew up in the troubadour culture of the Midi and enjoyed reading romance novels. She loved reading spiritual books, gardening, and going hunting. Eleanor  had a basic command of Latin, Occitan, French, and the courtly Norman French of England. She bought a variety of historical and romantic books, from pieces written at the time to stories.

6. Eleanor of Provence was a Leader in Fashion

Eleanor of Provence, Queen of England photo by “J.W. Wright”

She typically wore red silk damask, which was her favorite hue, colorful cottes (kind of tunics), as well as gold or silver girdles with gilded quatrefoil patterns. She hid her black hair under cheery pillbox hats. A tall wimple with a head that recedes until the face emerges like a flower in an enclosed spathe was introduced to England by Eleanor. She additionally bought clothing from France. She now has a lasting influence on cultural fashion.

7. The Exact circumstances of her birth are unknown

The exact year and location of Eleanor’s birth are unknown. She is believed to have been born in the southern French city of Aix-en-Provence, most likely between 1222 and 1224. Eleanor of Provence was Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence, and Beatrice of Savoy’s second child. She had a solid education as she grew up and fell in love with books. Her three sisters also got married to kings.

8. No dowry was paid by Henry III’s for Eleanor of Provence

Head of Eleanor of Provence in Westminster Abbey Photo by Unknown

Following Margaret’s older sister’s marriage to Louis IX of France, their uncle William wrote to Henry III of England to persuade him to marry Eleanor. To offset the dowry he had just paid for his sister Isabella, Henry had asked for a payment of up to 20,000 silver marks. Eleanor’s father was able to negotiate this down to no dowry and just a guarantee that he would leave her 10,000 marks after his death.

9. Eleanor of Provence drove out the Jews from all of her Territories

In January 1275, she expelled the Jews from all of her possessions, including Guildford, Cambridge, and Worcester. Before ordering that there be no Jews living in any of the cities under her dower, she got Edward I’s assent. The role played by Edward I’s mother in the expulsion of Jews from England in 1289 was mostly agreed upon by historians.

10. She was the first Queen to be granted her own wardrobe and the Household

Eleanor of Provence, queen of England photo by an unknown author

The first king gave his queen her own wardrobe and home, as well as gave her a sizable amount of property as a dowry, was Henry III. She kept her robes and jewelry in the closet, which also served as a storage space for her employees, maids, paperwork, and money. When selecting its members, she gave equal preference to those born in England, Provence, and Savoy.

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