In the fabulous book, ‘Fashion’ by Dorling Kindersley, Eleanor of Aquitaine has her own section. To the shock of her world, Eleanor introduced the form-fitting bliaut, elaborate sleeves with ribbons, and patterned silks from Outremer made later in Sicily. Hair was never cut, and sometimes plaited.
Bliaut
Damansk Silk
Patterns
Sleeves
Make-up
LOVE
Eleanor introduced the innovations of love, romantic verse, and manners into her companion courts. Writing love letters, giving flowers and gifts, seating women, wearing stylish clothes rather than hides were part of her new style. The longest poem ever written, The Romance of Troy, was dedicated to her.
Love Songs
Book of Love
The Code
COOKING, FURNITURE, ARCHITECTURE
Trade brought spices. Eleanor developed wine for trade and wrote the first maritime treaties to ship it. She introduced lighter furniture and chose a style for buildings called Romanesque, a more human-scale plan for living. The style featured templed domes, and high ceiling vaults but not as drastic as the emerging Gothic style.
Roman Ovens
Spices
Capet Chairs
Romanesque
FONTEVRAULT
Eleanor’s family contested the election of Popes. Rather than donate to the newly established Catholic religion, they invented their own church, just as Abelard made the Paraclete for Heloise. These two religious houses communicated with one another. Fontevrault Abbey had three other chapels, a grand refectory, school, and reputable medical infirmary.
