The Lioness - Eleanor Of Aquitaine

1122–1204

Rich and gorgeous, Eleanor was the greatest catch of the twelfth century—except she refused to be caught. Wife of two kings and mother of three others, she was a lioness stalking her prey. Some historians depict her as a conniving opportunist, but maybe she was just the smartest person in the room.

Her father, a wealthy landowner in France and a duke, died when she was just fifteen, leaving her his title and fortune. She married the crown prince of France, who soon became King Louis VII. They co-led the Second Crusade, which was a disaster. She then divorced Louis on a technicality and married the crown prince of England, who soon became King Henry II. They fought. He imprisoned her. Three of her sons eventually became king but fought one another for that privilege.

You know, just your average, humdrum life.

Her life was epic, the stuff of high drama—and in fact, it has been retold in movies, plays, and novels. But there’s one story we should take special note of.

She was still queen of France, and King Louis was waging a war against the pope (which many say she instigated). Eleanor paid a visit to the renowned monk Bernard of Clairvaux, asking him to use his influence to sway the pope on a certain point. She was doing what she always did, pitting power against power.

But Bernard scolded her for her combative attitude. Where was her penitence? Why wasn’t she humbling herself before God? Reportedly Eleanor broke down in tears, and Bernard softened his tone: “My child, seek those things which make for peace.”

It’s unclear whether this was authentic sorrow or just another ploy, but there’s a lesson for us. When the world around us is doing battle, when we have to fight for everything we can get, we can sometimes storm into God’s presence and try to manipulate him, too. “Do this for me, and I’ll do this for you!” As wise Bernard observed, prayer isn’t just another negotiation, but a humble peace-seeking.

How will you enter God’s presence today?

The tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.”

Luke 18:13