Editing Eleanor of Aquitaine (section)

=== Inheritance (1137) ===

In 1137, Duke William X left Poitiers for [[Bordeaux]] and took his daughters with him. Upon reaching Bordeaux, he left them at l'Ombrière Castle{{sfn|Turner|2009|loc=cap 1}} in the charge of [[:fr:Geoffroi du Louroux|Geoffroi du Louroux]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bordeaux|archbishop of Bordeaux]],{{sfn|Lewis|2021|loc=cap 1}}{{sfn|Herdam|Smallwood|2020}} a loyal [[vassal]].{{sfn|Turner|2009|loc=cap 2}} William then set out for the [[Santiago de Compostela Cathedral#History|Shrine of Saint James of Compostela]] in the company of other [[pilgrim]]s. However, he died on [[Good Friday]] of that year (9{{nbsp}}April).{{sfn|Turner|2009|loc=cap 1}}

Eleanor, aged 13, then became the duchess of Aquitaine, and thus one of the richest and most eligible heiresses in Europe.{{sfn|Weir|2012|pp=5,19}} Since kidnapping an heiress was seen as a viable option for obtaining a title and lands,{{sfn|Dunn|2013}} when William X knew that he was dying, he placed Eleanor in the care of [[Louis VI of France]] as her guardian.{{sfn|Firnhaber-Baker|2024|p=91}}{{sfn|Weir|2012|p=20}}{{sfn|Turner|2009|loc=cap 2}} William requested that the King take care of both the lands and the duchess, and find her a suitable husband.{{sfn|Weir|2012|p=20}} However, until a husband was found, the King had the legal right to Eleanor's lands. William also insisted to his companions that his death be kept a secret until Louis was informed; the men were to journey from Saint James of Compostela across the [[Pyrenees]] as quickly as possible to notify the archbishop, then to make all speed to Paris to inform the King.{{efn|The authenticity of William X's alleged will, setting out these supposed conditions, is dubious at best.{{sfn|Turner |2009|loc=cap 2}} [[Abbot Suger]] is the main source for these events}}{{sfn|Weir|2012|p=20}}

The French king, who was in poor health, recognised an opportunity to realise a long-standing ambition to enlarge his dominions by the acquisition of Aquitaine.{{sfn|Firnhaber-Baker|2024|p=91}}{{sfn|Turner |2009|loc=cap 2}} His eldest surviving son, [[Louis VII of France|Louis]], had originally been destined for monastic life, but had become the [[heir apparent]] when the King's eldest son, [[Philip of France (1116–1131)|Philip]], died after being thrown from his horse in 1131.{{sfn|Swabey|2004|p=108}}{{sfn|Weir|2012|p=22}}{{sfn|Turner|2009|loc=cap 2}} Louis VI realised the dangers of not swiftly settling the succession of the Aquitainian duchy, while a marriage between his son and Eleanor would add the considerable resources of Aquitaine to the [[Capetian]] holdings. Thus, he spent little time in dispatching the young Louis, accompanied by a large retinue, some 500 knights, along with [[Abbot Suger]], [[:fr:Geoffroy de Lèves|Geoffrey II]], [[Bishop of Chartres]], [[Theobald II of Champagne]] and [[Raoul I of Vermandois]] to Bordeaux to secure the marriage.{{sfn|Turner |2009|loc=cap 2}}