"Contested territories, Your Grace, as sides press their claim now that the new King is crowned. I would hope for aid in my own goals, upon my return, but the cost...the cost would be to win out lands duly won by a Lord in good standing. If anything, I would hope that honors are lavished upon him f...

"Excellent. I thank you, Your Grace, for your assistance." The young welshman offers a smile. "This...this is perhaps a strange question to ask Your Grace, but your skill at Court is well known, while I am called a neophyte. Charitably." He chuckles at his self-effacement. "There is a question that...

Llwelyn waits until the man speaking to the Queen has finished, and then approaches himself. He hesitates for a moment, studying her for a reaction. "Good day your Grace. I hoped to confirm that you were consulted on the plan for the Pilgrimmage. If not...or, if this is a bad time?" Llywelyn tries ...

Eleanor shakes her head slowly.

"I accept your request, in that she will marry someone worthy or will never marry. Go prove yourself, Bold Giles de Braose."

"Well said." She leans forward slightly, bony hands supporting the motion with a death-grip on the arms of her chair. "You believe that you'll take such a position, Giles de Braose. That is a gamble, I think. And it really is only in such circumstances that you would have the means to keep her in t...

"I can find myself thinking of little else your Highness, and it is my reflection on your wisdom that brings me here today. In the spirit of mutual love, I have asked the subject of my heart and soul's desires to consider me a suitor for her affection and she has not rebuffed me yet. However I know...

Arrivals in the chamber today will notice a stormy expression on the face of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

"And well we know of lovers imprisoned by those who professed love and loved them not." The old queen speaks, leaning forward in her seat. "The learned Marcher speaks well of events constructed by authors, whose desire to provide instruction and entertainment makes them more facile to be parsed. And...

Marie smiles a bit, but now it is Eleanor's turn. "And what do I want love to be?" she asks, her voice warbling a little with age. "If it is so changeable as you say, and if it dwells solely in the eye of the beholder, can love truly be shared? After all, it necessarily follows that what one partner...

The Queen and her ladies look on with marked bemusement at the white-clothed, flower-bedecked, high-socked men and their cries of raucous laughter as they clack sticks and hop about to the music of pipe and sackbut!

"I like to think I am capable, though I have few illusions of being Gawain. More than winning, there are other facets. What would be said if a knight came from Wales, but refused to rise to the challenge? Unless, your Grace's wisdom sees a better way forward?" It was offering himself as a plaything...

"Well, that would be a critical failing then. One who makes light of a good turn makes it more difficult to see another one in days to come, whilst repaying them brings happiness to both." As the court opens again, Llwelyn bows. "I beg pardon your Graces, with the announcement of the tournament I f...

Arthur reaches out to touch the hair gently, and for just a moment.

"It is like Uncle Richard," he decides, and Eleanor's smile widens.

"Much like him, I hope," she says. "Thank you, young man, for the lesson." She strokes Arthur's flaxen locks. "Have you experience with children?"

Llwelyn needs to offer proper thanks to Lady Eleanor, but is careful in his approach, looking to make small talk and make his way over gradually. Prince Arthur, however, is a keen-eyed child. "Look!" he cried out, pointing at Llywelyn's hair. "Red!" Eleanor patted his head. "Yes, Arthur, this is a ...

Meanwhile, Eleanor of Aquitaine sits in a smaller seat at the base of the steps, her ladies gathered around her and little Arthur on her lap

Eleanor of Aquitaine smiles brightly as she performs her line with just a hint of her Aquitainian accent. Her eyes seem to twinkle at the little game, and after she finishes, she sidles up next to the young Welsh prince, the better to lay aside his concerns. "3. Of Alisaundur the Conquerour" Generos...

Suddenly, Eleanor begins to applaud, an action soon taken up by Baldwin of Forde and Robert Marmion, which cuts the performance short.

To the Duchess of Brittany, the Duchess of Aquitaine sends commiseration. It was with some sadness that we received word at Chinon of your difficulties with your husband and your desire to have the marriage set aside in light of my husband's passing. There is no one who was not moved by your struggl...

To Devon, Grandson of that most loyal of Earls, Eleanor R. sends greetings and instruction. I know this letter will find you in good spirits on the occasion of my son's accession. Though we must all, of course, remember the long service my husband gave his people, our hearts cannot help but be gladd...

Eleanor of Aquitaine is many things to many people: a Duchess, a Queen twice over, a widow, a schemer, a rebel, a harridan, a Crusader, a patron of the arts, and the Justice of the Court of Love. She is all of those things and more. Once the Crusader Queen of France, the annulment of her first marri...