1-2+Louise+S.

Friday, March 23rd, 2012 Wiki Post #1: A Proud Taste for Scarlet & Miniver

1. In the novel, //A Proud Taste for Scarlet & Miniver,// Eleanor’s father was William, Duke of Aquitaine who was a vassal to the king. William knew that Eleanor couldn’t handle all of the land that her father gave her when he passed away. She was the richest orphan in all of Europe, and she needed someone to take care of her. Before William passed, he arranged Prince Louis, the King’s son, to be betrothed to Eleanor. The typical betrothal age of the 12th century for rich girls and princes was an infant. Eleanor is already fifteen and Prince Louis is seventeen, Louis says to Abbot Suger,  “But in my case it’s simple, Abbot. I was not meant to be rich. I am a second son. I was meant to be a priest, and I would have been one if my brother Phillip’s horse had not tripped over the old saw and broken Philip’s neck in the process. He, not I, was born to be the king of France. I am second son and second marriage.” (E.L. Konigsburg 19-20) Eleanor on the other hand, never got married because her father and grandfather never thought they would decease. The two were betrothed in Bordeaux at a late age, because their families were not as traditional as the usual marriage in the 12th century.

2. Decisions change people’s lives everyday. In Abbot Suger’s Tale, William of Aquitaine’s decision to arrange the marriage of Prince Louis and his daughter the Duchess of Aquitaine, Eleanor, effected Prince Louis’s family and Eleanor as an individual. Eleanor and Louis never got along very well. On the Crusade, Eleanor wanted to set up camp in the valley, but Louis didn’t think it was a smart idea. Eleanor refused to follow his orders and Louis responded with, “I have a worse punishment in store for you. You will continue on the Crusade.” (61) Eleanor’s decision to camp on the other side of the valley, got her into lots of trouble with her newly wed.

__Wiki Post #2__ 1. Divine Justice is the idea of karma, and Geoffrey did something bard to deserve death. In E.L. Konigsburg’s novel, Geoffrey attacked Louis’s land, and deserved every bit of his fever. Matilda Empress says, “It was a fever, an accident, a trick of Fate, that killed my husband Geoffrey.”(Konigsburg 84) Matilda Empress didn’t believe Abbot Bernard either. Karma is one of the best ways that can connect to the essential question. When you make the decision to do the right thing, good luck/fortune/omen will come back to you, and vice versus for karma if you do something bad. Geoffrey made the decision to pour boiling oil on Louis’s land was not an intelligent choice, that effected his life and the life of others, (Matilda Empress and Henry)

2. Thomas Becket is going to be appointed archbishop, but Matilda Empress and Eleanor are against this idea. First of all, he is trained as priest. That means he has too much power with the court and with the church. Second of all, Eleanor wanted to be Henry’s chancellor. Henry says,” Becket. Thomas Becket. He is highly recommended. He is energetic and efficient.” (Konigsburg 97) This was the first thought that went through Henry’s head when he thought of a chancellor.



__Wiki Post #3 __ 1. Young Henry and Richard the Lion hart were two of the sons of Eleanor, the Queen of England, and Henry, the King of England. They had different ways to teach the two boys. Eleanor made big decisions for Richard that effected his future in many ways, she wanted Richard to rule Aquitaine with her, and she always thought that Richard was more capable. Eleanor allowed him to make decisions as well as to do the routine. Richard went on a round of tournaments that King Henry wanted to stop. For Young Henry, the King's decision effected his life when he tried to bribe him with gifts and pleasures, and Henry wanted to give Young Henry the crown of England. Young Henry says to his father as he is getting crowned at the ceremony, 'It is surely no great honor to have the son of a king served by the son of a count." (Konigsburg 141) King Henry's decision to do this, got he and his son's relationship in trouble.

2. The Courts of Love, created by Maire and Eleanor, were made to make men be polite, neat, etc. The Courts of Love has effected today's modern world, in more than a few ways. Some examples are, "the male must be polite, he must be neat, he must regard his lady-love as someo ne above earthly temptation, etc." (134) It shows lots of disrespect to not treat a lady like a gentlemen. Granted you wouldn't have to do some of these laws today because of the modern world, but it is important to show appreciation and consideration towards the lady. Normally, these laws are shown more in upper and middle classes more than in perhaps a lower class. It is always appropriate to treat a lady with courtesy.