5-6+Nikki+M.

Eleanor and Louis were betrothed unusually late. Eleanor's grandfather and father were pious men, and therefore believed that they were immortal and did not need an heir to the throne. Eleanor did not need to be betrothed if a new leader would not eventually need to take the throne. Louis was the second son, but when his brother broke his neck on a horse, he became the new descendant for the throne. Louis told Abbott Suger, "I was meant to be a priest, and would have been one if my brother Philip's horse had not tripped over that old sow and broken Philip's neck in the process. He, not I, was born to be the king of France. I am the second son, and second choice, and that is why I have not been promised in marriage" (Konigsburg 20). Louis was originally a priest and was forced to take the throne because of his brothers death. Eleanor was betrothed to Louis so her land would stay in her possession. Eleanor and Louis's betrothal occurred as a young adult, instead of as an infant.
 * March 23, 2012**
 * Wiki Post 1**
 * A Proud Taste of Scarlett and Miniver**

William Duke of Aquataine's decision to betroth Eleanor changed her and King Louis lives. Louis was very pleased with Eleanor's appearance and was desperate to impress her. Eleanor changed his way of ruling and increased his political power. She encouraged him to challenge Abbott Bernard and to appoint his own bishops. King Louis was excommunicated from the church for his actions, and went on the crusades to relieve his sins. Adelaide said of Eleanor influencing King Louis,"The only thing great about her was her nerve. She has got my poor Louis involved in a terrible war with the Duke of Champagne, after my dear husband, rest his fat soul, worked so hard to establish peace with him," (Konisburg 33). Eleanor wanted him to be risky and powerful, and he jumped to please her. If not for their betrothal, Louis would be a different man.



**March 27, 2012** **Wiki Post 2** **A Proud Taste of Scarlett and Miniver** Divine justice is like karma. If you sin in the eyes of the lord, you will receive severe punishment. Abbott Bernard thinks that Geoffrey died because of his bad deeds. Geoffrey was at war over a small piece of land between Normandy and France called the Vexin.

"As soon as Louis returned from Crusade, Geoffrey went right to the source of the trouble. He poured boiling oil on the refuters of the steward's very own castle; Then he fired flaming arrows at it. People poured out of the castle along with the flames. One who came running was the steward himself. Geoffrey caught him like a runaway puppy and put him in a dungeon. Abbot Bernard was shocked. No one, he said, could treat and officer of the king that way. Geoffrey said that he could."

For this sin, Abbott Bernard believed that divine justice punished Geoffrey for his disrespect to the church by. Geoffrey's decision affected him, by death, and his family, because Henry took the throne and decided to wed to Eleanor.

Matilda and Eleanor are against Thomas Beckett being appointed archbishop because he will not stay loyal to King Henry. Matilda and Eleanor know that he will serve god over Henry because god is the higher power. "I see that, by how conscientiously he serves you as chancellor. He will choose to serve god instead of you. If you make him archbishop, you give him too much power and too hard a choice," (Konisburg 113) Eleanor said to Henry. Henry thought that Beckett was a hardworking man and would do any act or task the King required of him. Matilda showed his disapproval or Henry's by decision by saying, "Thomas's problem,' I said, 'Thomas will do whatever job is set before him, and he will do it well. Too well. He will always give his best to the higher sovereign and, Henry, my son, as much as I love you, you are no match for god. Thomas will choose to serve god rather than you" (Konisburg 116). Matilda's prediction for the outcome was correct. "I was right. Beckett chose to serve god. He cast away his fine robes and wore a monk's robe. The man who had worn hose or silk now walked bare foot, and there were people who said he wore a hair shirt as a constant itch to his conscience" (Konisburg 117). Beckett resigned as chancellor after being appointed archbishop of Canterbury.



**Friday, March 30th, 2012 ** **__A Proud Taste for Scarlet & Miniver__ Part III ** **wiki post 3 **

Eleanor and Henry have two very controversial teaching styles. Eleanor lets Richard make decisions and see what its like to have authority, while Henry could care less about Young Henry's opinions. Young Henry is forced to perform meaningless errands for his father that only infuriate him. This causes Young Henry to grow envious of his brother Richard, while Richard grew into a fierce, power hungry ruler. "Young Henry saw how his mother taught Richard the ways of the Aquitaine, how she allowed him to make decision and well as do the routine, and his anger at his father grew"(Konisburg 140). Young Henry wanted to be no man's vassal, not even his father's. In result of Henry's poor teaching styles, Henry became careless and reckless. Young Henry's anger would be the start of a war between him in his father. Richard grew very experienced and a strong ruler. Eleanor made him popular with the people of Aquataine, and taught him to never back down. Eleanor's teachings defined his style of ruling and effected his conduct in battle. Those rules made by Eleanor and Marie in the courts of love have taught men proper etiquette and how to act like a gentleman. Simple things such as making a women feels special, opening a door for someone, and showing your gratitude for a kind deed, were taught. The courts of love taught men that you had to be respectful to women and that love was reality. When the courts of love were founded, people were betrothed at a young age, often for land or to keep peace. Eleanor and Marie wante d to show men and women that women were not vassals and needed to be treated with respect.
 * 1) Consider the Courts of Love established by Eleanor and Marie. Also consider the articles read in class based on the rules of courtly love (the WebQuest). How have those rules affected how men treat women today? When/where do we see these played out the most?