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'''Eleanor the "Fair Maid of Brittany"''' (c. 1184 – 10 August 1241) was the daughter of [[Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany|Geoffrey Plantagenet]] and [[Constance, Duchess of Brittany]]. Upon the death of [[Richard I of England]], a power struggle commenced between her younger brother [[Arthur I, Duke of Brittany]] and King [[John of England]]. At the [[Battle of Mirebeau]], Arthur, Eleanor, and Arthur's knights were captured. Eleanor was imprisoned at [[Corfe Castle (castle)| Corfe Castle]]. Her brother Arthur [[Arthur I, Duke of Brittany#Disappearance| disappeared]].
'''Eleanor the "Fair Maid of Brittany"''' (c. 1184 – 10 August 1241) was the daughter of [[Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany|Geoffrey Plantagenet]] and [[Constance, Duchess of Brittany]].


==Biography==
Although she had (by modern standards) a better claim to the throne than the children of John, she was passed over, still captive, in favour of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]], John's son, who was crowned in 1216.
Upon the death of [[Richard I of England]], a power struggle commenced between Eleanor's younger brother [[Arthur I, Duke of Brittany]] and King [[John of England]]. At the [[Battle of Mirebeau]], Arthur, Eleanor, and Arthur's knights were captured. Eleanor was imprisoned at [[Corfe Castle (castle)| Corfe Castle]]. Her brother Arthur [[Arthur I, Duke of Brittany#Disappearance| disappeared]].

Although she had (by modern standards) a better claim to the throne than the children of John {{dubious}}, she was passed over, still captive, in favour of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]], John's son, who was crowned in 1216.


Eldest daughter of Constance, she may have been recognized Duchess of Brittany after the death of her brother Arthur. Instead of that, the Breton Barons (fearing John Lackland's claims to rule Brittany in representation of Eleanor's rights) made her younger sister [[Alix, Duchess of Brittany|Aelis/Alix]] Duchess.
Eldest daughter of Constance, she may have been recognized Duchess of Brittany after the death of her brother Arthur. Instead of that, the Breton Barons (fearing John Lackland's claims to rule Brittany in representation of Eleanor's rights) made her younger sister [[Alix, Duchess of Brittany|Aelis/Alix]] Duchess.

Revision as of 00:41, 16 December 2009

Eleanor
called "Fair Maid of Brittany"
Burial
HouseHouse of Plantagenet
FatherGeoffrey II, Duke of Brittany
MotherConstance, Duchess of Brittany

Eleanor the "Fair Maid of Brittany" (c. 1184 – 10 August 1241) was the daughter of Geoffrey Plantagenet and Constance, Duchess of Brittany.

Biography

Upon the death of Richard I of England, a power struggle commenced between Eleanor's younger brother Arthur I, Duke of Brittany and King John of England. At the Battle of Mirebeau, Arthur, Eleanor, and Arthur's knights were captured. Eleanor was imprisoned at Corfe Castle. Her brother Arthur disappeared.

Although she had (by modern standards) a better claim to the throne than the children of John [dubiousdiscuss], she was passed over, still captive, in favour of Henry III, John's son, who was crowned in 1216.

Eldest daughter of Constance, she may have been recognized Duchess of Brittany after the death of her brother Arthur. Instead of that, the Breton Barons (fearing John Lackland's claims to rule Brittany in representation of Eleanor's rights) made her younger sister Aelis/Alix Duchess.

Eleanor died in 1241, still a prisoner at Corfe Castle, and was buried at Amesbury Abbey.

In Thomas Costain's novel, Below the Salt, the author has Eleanor escape, marry a knight with land in Ireland, and raise a family.

Sources