Eleanor of Aquitaine: The Queen Who Built Empires for Loser Kings

This week, we’re joined by Katy from Queens Podcast, whose deep knowledge of royal history helps us unpack how Eleanor quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) shaped empires, fueled crusades, and influenced generations of rulers, all while being married to two very mediocre kings who consistently failed upward. From Louis VII to Henry II, we break down how Eleanor’s intelligence, wealth, and strategy built power structures that men happily claimed as their own.

We explore Eleanor’s marriages, her imprisonment, her political savvy, and why history punished her for the same ambition it rewarded in men. Plus: feminist rage, royal divorce drama, and proof that the concept of “letting him think it was his idea” is much older than we thought.

If you love powerful women, messy monarchies, and reclaiming history from underwhelming men ,this episode is for you.

You can follow Katy and Nathan from Queens Podcast here for all of their episodes and follow them on instagram here.

Created and produced by Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald

For more RAM, go here!

To join our premium subscription channel for THREE bonus episodes a month where you get to know us, go here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices