Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | 20201109 | Wife and mother to a dynasty of kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator. This is the story of the young Eleanor of Aquitaine. At 16 she has one ambition - to become the Duchess (and ruler) of the Aquitaine. But her father has other ideas... Though Eleanor of Aquitaine lived 900 years ago, she is very modern woman. At 16 she inherits the richest province in France and plans to run it her own way, as her grandfather promised she could. The men around her have other ideas - a young woman with so much power is far too great a threat. There is a kidnap attempt, a midnight escape on horseback, bribery, an armed invasion and a forced marriage to the sexually repressed young French king. Even then, Eleanor finds a way to challenge the status quo and march to her own drum, always determined to decide her own destiny. Intelligent, tough, imaginative and witty, Eleanor first scandalises then subtly reshapes the world she inhabits. This gains her a host of admirers as well as, inevitably, powerful enemies determined to bring her down. Somehow she stays one step ahead of them all. It's not that Eleanor think likes a man - it's that the men have no idea how to contain someone with power who thinks like a woman. Eleanor ...... Rose Basista Petronilla ...... Cecilia Appiah Duke William ...... John Lightbody Archbishop Laroux ...... Roger Ringrose Pierre ...... Luke Nunn Written by Shaun McKenna. Director: Marc Beeby First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020. The thrilling tale of one of Europe's most extraordinary women - Eleanor of Aquitaine Dramatic account of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Based on fact, legend - and rumour | |
| 01 | 02 | 20201110 | Following the death of her father, Eleanor is now Duchess of Aquitaine.
But her guardian - 'Fat Louis', the King of France - has other ideas and betroths her to his son, the Dauphin. Their first meeting, however, is not a success....
Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women.
Eleanor ...... Rose Basista
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
Eleanor is now Duchess of Aquitaine. But her guardian has other ideas. Dramatic account of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Based on fact, legend - and rumour | |
| 01 | 03 | 20201111 | Following Eleanor's marriage to the Dauphin, a wedding feast is prepared. But news comes of an imminent attack, led by the renegade Lord, Theobald.
Eleanor and the Dauphin are forced to slip away during the night.
Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women.
Eleanor ...... Rose Basista
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
News comes of an imminent attack, forcing the newly-betrothed couple to slip away. Dramatic account of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Based on fact, legend - and rumour | |
| 01 | 04 | 20201112 | Louis and Abbot Suger are determined to send the army to punish the Eleanor's beloved Aquitaine for its perceived disloyalty.
Eleanor knows that this is a terrible idea but Louis will not give in.
Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women.
Eleanor ...... Rose Basista
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
The thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women - Eleanor of Aquitaine Dramatic account of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Based on fact, legend - and rumour | |
| 01 | 05 | 20201113 | In an attempt to facilitate Petronilla's marriage to the man she loves, Eleanor arranges to have his original marriage annulled.
When the Pope becomes involved, disaster threatens - not just Eleanor and Louis but the Kingdom of France itself...
Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women.
Eleanor ...... Rose Basista
Director: Marc Beeby
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2020.
The thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women - Eleanor of Aquitaine Dramatic account of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Based on fact, legend - and rumour | |
| 02 | 01 | 20210405 | Guilt over the tragic events at Vitry sur Marne is driving a wedge between Eleanor and her husband, Louis, the King of France.
Hidden hurts are forced out into the open when Eleanor's sister arrives back at Court.
Young Eleanor of Aquitaine is a wife and mother to Kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator.
The return of Shaun McKenna's gripping historical drama about one of Europe's most extraordinary women.
Eleanor | |
| 02 | 02 | 20210406 | Louis sees a Holy Crusade as the chance to redeem his soul, while Eleanor sees it as an opportunity to reassert her influence at Court.
Shaun McKenna's gripping historical drama about one of Europe's most extraordinary women.
Eleanor | |
| 02 | 03 | 20210407 | The French army is on the march, but Louis' leadership is being questioned at every turn.
Eleanor of Aquitaine decides she must act to avert disaster.
Shaun McKenna's gripping historical drama about one of Europe's most extraordinary women.
Eleanor | |
| 02 | 04 | 20210408 | Shaun McKenna's gripping historical drama about the young Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife and mother to Kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator.
On the march to the Holy Land allies prove untrustworthy. Could the French army be heading into a trap?
Eleanor | |
| 02 | 05 | 20210409 | Shaun McKenna's gripping historical drama about the young Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife and mother to Kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator.
Brusied and defeated, Eleanor and Louis have arrived in Antioch where their strained relationship threatens to put lives at risk. Eleanor realises she must risk everything if she is to secure her future.
Eleanor | |
| 03 | 01 | 1/2 | 20220925 | The return of Shaun McKenna's gripping historical drama about the young Eleanor of Aquitaine - wife and mother to Kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator.
An ill-fated crusade to the Holy Land has ended in disaster for Eleanor and her husband, King Louis of France. The journey home is to prove no less hazardous when a storm leaves Eleanor and a small band of survivors shipwrecked behind enemy lines.
Eleanor |
| 03 | 02 | 2/2 | 20221002 | Shaun McKenna's gripping historical drama about the young Eleanor of Aquitaine - wife and mother to Kings, crusader, prisoner and formidable political operator.
Despite her best efforts to extricate herself, Eleanor is still trapped in an unhappy marriage to King Louis of France. Her dreams of heady romance and freedom to rule her own lands are no closer to being realised. A new arrival at court at least promises a momentary diversion.
Eleanor |