The Queen of troubadours goes to England: Eleanor of Aquitaine and 12th Century Anglo-Norman Literary Milieu

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to cast some light on the role played by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the development of Anglo-Norman literature at the time when she was Queen of England (1155England ( -1204)).Although her importance in the growth of courtly love literature in France has been sufficiently stated, little attention has been paid to her patronising activities in England.My contribution provides a new portrait of the Queen of Troubadours, also as a promoter of Anglo-Norman literature: many were the authors, both French and English, who might have written under her royal patronage during the second half of the 12th century.Starting with Rita Lejeune's seminal work (1954) on the Queen's literary role, I have gathered scattered information from different sources: approaches to Anglo-Norman literature, Eleanor's biographies and studies in Arthurian Romance.Nevertheless, mine is not a mere systematization of available data, for both in the light of new discoveries and by contrasting existing information, I have enlarged agreed conclusions and proposed new topics for research and discussion.Eleanor Aquitaine's literary role, I have gathered scattered information from different sources: approaches to Anglo-Norman literature, Eleanor's biographies and studies on Arthurian Romance.Nevertheless, mine is not a mere systematization of available data, for both in the light of new discoveries and by contrasting existing information, I have enlarged agreed conclusions and proposed new topics for research and discussion.West, C.B. 1938, Courtoisie in Anglo-Norman literature.

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