Court life for a queen of France at that time was, however, stultifyingly routine. Eleanor found that she was expected to be no more than a decorative asset to her husband, the mother of his heirs and the arbiter of good taste and modesty.
Life at the French court during Eleanor of Aquitaine's time was monotonous and restrictive. She discovered that her role was largely limited to being a symbol of beauty and fertility, serving primarily as her husband's ornament and the mother of future rulers. This limited her influence and autonomy as an individual.
The expectations placed upon Eleanor emphasized traditional notions of femininity, confining her to a predefined set of duties that revolved around maintaining decorum and propriety. This portrayal of her life highlights the challenges faced by women of her status who were often undervalued beyond their royal status.