A thrilling dramatic account of one of Europe's most extraordinary women, Eleanor of Aquitaine, based on historical fact, legend - and rumour
Wife and mother to a dynasty of kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator, Eleanor of Aquitaine is a thoroughly modern woman, despite living almost 900 years ago. Intelligent, witty and independent, she is tough enough to forge her own destiny - and subtle enough to shape the world to her will.
We first meet her at 15, when she has one ambition: to become Duchess and ruler of the Aquitaine, the richest province in France. But the men around her have other ideas. A young woman with so much power is too great a threat, so she is quickly married off to the heir to the throne, the devout, sexually repressed Dauphin Louis.
The wedding feast is barely over before she finds herself facing an imminent attack, a kidnap attempt and a midnight escape on horseback. Surviving to become Queen of France, she moulds her young husband into a fit King - but in wielding her influence, she makes powerful enemies who are determined to bring her down.
Yet somehow she manages to stay one step ahead, even as she embarks on a scandalous Crusade and risks everything to try and secure her future...
Written by award-winning dramatist Shaun McKenna, this epic drama stars Rose Basista as Eleanor, Cecilia Appiah and Elinor Coleman as Petronilla, Joel McCormack as Louis and Tony Turner as Raymond of Antioch.
Written by Shaun McKenna
Directed and produced by Marc Beeby and Gemma Jenkins
Cast
Eleanor - Rose Basista
Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah/Elinor Coleman
Duke William - John Lightbody
Archbishop Laroux/Theobald - Roger Ringrose
Pierre - Luke Nunn
The Dauphin, Louis - Joel McCormack
Abbot Suger - Carl Prekopp/Nicholas Murchie
Cardinal Yves - Carl Prekopp
Geoffrey of Anjou - David Sturzaker
Papal Legate - Tony Turner
Geoffrey de Rançon - Stewart Campbell
Empress Irene - Jane Slavin
German soldier/Ralph de Vermandois - Nicholas Murchie
Raymond of Antioch - Tony Turner
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9-13 November 2020 (Series 1), 5-9 April 2021 (Series 2)
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