Eleanor of Aquitaine to Constance of Brittany

[Eleanor of Aquitaine]

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 struggles, and some of us felt as though we were reading a narrative of the early years of our own marriages.

Connie, sweetheart, take it from me, it is much better to allow your husband a little rope. He's far more likely to hang himself with it than to use it to tie you up. As for your request, well, if you cannot control the little tyke, what makes you think my son will entrust you with an entire Duchy? Perhaps it is for the best that I just keep your message close to me, so that no harm could come to you from your indiscretion.

With some concern, Your friend,
Eleanor