Medieval queens Eleanor of Castile and Leonor of England re-examined in new biographies

Recent historical scholarship is providing new perspectives on the lives and political influence of medieval queens, specifically focusing on Eleanor of Castile and Leonor of England.

John Carmi Parsons’ biography of Eleanor of Castile, wife of King Edward I of England, examines the construction of her public image. While traditionally viewed as a model of virtue, the work explores how her contemporaries perceived her power and how her posthumous legend was shaped by changing societal views on women.

Similarly, José Manuel Cerda Costabal’s biography of Leonor of England, queen consort of Castile and wife of King Alfonso VIII, highlights her role in European diplomacy and court culture. As a member of the Plantagenet dynasty, Leonor utilized her dower resources to fund an independent household and helped establish the first marriage alliance between England and an Iberian kingdom.