Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | Ambition | 20201109 | 20220912 (BBC7) 20220913 (BBC7) 20250203 (BBC7) 20250204 (BBC7) | 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. Written in five parts by Shaun McKenna. Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah Duke William - John Lightbody Archbishop Laroux - Roger Ringrose Pierre - Luke Nunn Director: Marc Beeby The thrilling tale of one of Europe's most extraordinary women - Eleanor of Aquitaine The story of the young Eleanor of Aquitaine - wife, mother, crusader and prisoner, starting when she was 16. Stars Rose Basista. 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. Written by Shaun McKenna. 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. |
| 01 | 02 | Bethrothal | 20201110 | 20220913 (BBC7) 20220914 (BBC7) 20250204 (BBC7) 20250205 (BBC7) | 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 the thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women. The Dauphin - Joel McCormack Abbot Suger - Carl Prekopp Archbishop Laroux - Roger Ringrose Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah Director: Marc Beeby Eleanor is now Duchess of Aquitaine. But her guardian has other ideas. Following the death of her father, Eleanor is now Duchess of Aquitaine. But her guardian has other ideas. Stars Joel McCormack. Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women. |
| 01 | 03 | Attack | 20201111 | 20220914 (BBC7) 20220915 (BBC7) 20250205 (BBC7) 20250206 (BBC7) | 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. The Dauphin - Joel McCormack Abbot Suger - Carl Prekopp Archbishop Laroux - Roger Ringrose Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah Director: Marc Beeby News comes of an imminent attack, forcing the newly-betrothed couple to slip away. News comes of an imminent attack, forcing the newly-betrothed couple to slip away during the night. Starring Rose Basista. |
| 01 | 04 | Punishment | 20201112 | 20220915 (BBC7) 20220916 (BBC7) 20250206 (BBC7) 20250207 (BBC7) | 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. The Dauphin - Joel McCormack Abbot Suger - Carl Prekopp Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah Director: Marc Beeby The thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women - Eleanor of Aquitaine Louis and Abbot Suger are determined to send the army to punish the Aquitaine for its apparent disloyalty. Stars Carl Prekopp. |
| 01 | 05 | Disaster? | 20201113 | 20250207 (BBC7) 20250208 (BBC7) | 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... Conclusion of Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women. The Dauphin - Joel McCormack Cardinal Yves - Carl Prekopp Theobald - Roger Ringrose Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah Director: Marc Beeby The thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women - Eleanor of Aquitaine When the Pope becomes involved in Petronilla's marriage to the man she loves, disaster threatens. Starring Cecilia Appiah. |
| 01 | 05 LAST | 20201113 | 20220916 (BBC7) 20220917 (BBC7) | 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. The Dauphin - Joel McCormack Cardinal Yves - Carl Prekopp Theobald - Roger Ringrose Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah Director: Marc Beeby The thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women - Eleanor of Aquitaine | |
| 01 | OMNI | 20220918 | 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 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. Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women. Omnibus of five parts. Petronilla - Cecilia Appiah Duke William - John Lightbody Archbishop Laroux/Theobald - Roger Ringrose Pierre - Luke Nunn The Dauphin - Joel McCormack Abbot Suger/Cardinal Yves - Carl Prekopp 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 | ||
| 02 | 01 | 20210405 | 20220920 (BBC7) | 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. Louis - Joel MacCormack Petronilla - Elinor Coleman Geoffrey of Anjou - David Sturzaker Director: Gemma Jenkins Eleanor of Aquitaine, a thrilling tale of one of Europe's most extraordinary women. | |
| 02 | 02 | 20210406 | 20220920 (BBC7) 20220921 (BBC7) | 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. Louis - Joel MacCormack Petronilla - Elinor Coleman Abbot Suger - Nicholas Murchie Papal Legate - Tony Turner Director: Gemma Jenkins Eleanor of Aquitaine, a thrilling tale of one of Europe's most extraordinary women | |
| 02 | 03 | 20210407 | 20220921 (BBC7) 20220922 (BBC7) | 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. Louis - Joel MacCormack Petronilla - Elinor Coleman Geoffrey de Rançon - Stewart Campbell Empress Irene - Jane Slavin Director: Gemma Jenkins Eleanor of Aquitaine, a thrilling tale of one of Europe's most extraordinary women | |
| 02 | 04 | 20210408 | 20220922 (BBC7) 20220923 (BBC7) | 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? Louis - Joel MacCormack Petronilla - Elinor Coleman Geoffrey de Rançon - Stewart Campbell German soldier - Nicholas Murchie Raymond of Antioch - Tony Turner Directed by Gemma Jenkins Eleanor of Aquitaine, a thrilling tale of one of Europe's most extraordinary women | |
| 02 | 05 LAST | 20210409 | 20220923 (BBC7) 20220924 (BBC7) | 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. Louis - Joel MacCormack Petronilla - Elinor Coleman Raymond of Antioch - Tony Turner Ralph de Vermandois - Nicholas Murchie Directed by Gemma Jenkins Eleanor of Aquitaine, a thrilling tale of one of Europe's most extraordinary women | |
| 02 | OMNI | 20220925 | 20250209 (BBC7) 20250210 (BBC7) | 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. Though Eleanor of Aquitaine lived 900 hundred 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 but somehow she stays one step ahead of them all. It's not that Eleanor thinks likes a man – it's that the men have no idea how to contain someone with power who thinks like a woman. Shaun McKenna's thrilling story of one of Europe's most extraordinary women. Omnibus of five parts. Louis - Joel MacCormack Petronilla - Elinor Coleman Geoffrey of Anjou - David Sturzaker Abbot Sugar/German Soldier/ Ralph de Vermandois - Nicholas Murchie Papal Legate/Raymond of Antioch - Tony Turner Geoffrey de Rançon - Stewart Campbell Empress Irene - Jane Slavin Director: Gemma Jenkins First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2021. Return of the thrilling historical saga about the extraordinary, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Wife, mother, crusader and prisoner. Guilt threatens Eleanor's marriage to husband, the King of France. Stars Rose Basista. | |
| 03 | 01 | 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. | ||
| 03 | 02 LAST | 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. |