AFTER our summer break, the circle returned to hear an interesting and animated talk by the Alliance Française speaker Chantal Witchalls, on the complicated and tortuous life of Eléanor d‘Aquitaine.

Born into power, she was the daughter and heiress of the Duke of Aquitaine, ruler of one of the largest domains in France, larger even than that of the French king.

On the death of her father she inherited all this and married the son of King Louis VII aged 15, bringing all her possessions from the Loire to the Pyrenees with her. He in turn became King of France a month later.

Accompanied by a thousand fighting vassals and wagons of female servants, dressed in armour and carrying weapons, she charged off on a white horse to join her husband on the Second Crusade in 1147.

Following fierce disagreements with Louis about battle priorities, Eleanor claimed their marriage was not valid in the eyes of God because of prohibited family connections, and they returned to France in separate boats. Regardless of two daughters by Louis, the marriage was annulled in 1152 and, within months, at the age of 30, she married the 20-year-old Henri Plantagenet, who became King of England a couple of years later. By him she had five sons and three daughters.

The circle is fortunate in having a second Alliance speaker on November 13 - Thierry Viennois, who delivers excellent talks in measured and clear French, well illustrated.

We are a very friendly group who welcome new members. Details from Roger Theobald on 01722 341680, or rwhmtheo@talktalk.net.