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Medieval Encyclopedia Entry 1778004665

** The Great Conquest of Aquitaine, a pivotal medieval event that marked the beginning of a centuries-long struggle for control of the region between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. **CONTENT:** ### Overview The Great Conquest of Aquitaine, also known as the Conquest of Aquitaine (1173-1174), was a significant military campaign launched by King Henry II of England against the Duchy of Aquitaine, a vast territory in southwestern France. This conflict was a crucial turning point in the complex web of alliances and rivalries that defined medieval European politics. The Great Conquest of Aquitaine was a defining moment in the history of the Plantagenet dynasty, which would go on to shape the course of English history for centuries to come. The Duchy of Aquitaine, a vast and strategically located territory, had been a key player in the politics of western Europe for centuries. Its ruler, the Duke of Aquitaine, was a powerful nobleman who controlled a significant portion of southwestern France. In the early 12th century, the Duchy of Aquitaine was inherited by Eleanor of Aquitaine, a powerful and ambitious noblewoman who would become one of the most influential women of the Middle Ages. Eleanor's marriage to King Louis VII of France in 1137 cemented the Duchy's ties to the French monarchy, but her subsequent marriage to King Henry II of England in 1152 created a complex web of alliances and rivalries that would ultimately lead to the Great Conquest of Aquitaine. ### History/Background The Great Conquest of Aquitaine began in 1173, when King Henry II of England, who had inherited the Duchy of Aquitaine through his marriage to Eleanor, launched a military campaign against the Duchy. The conflict was sparked by a dispute over the succession to the Duchy, which had been inherited by Eleanor's son, Richard the Lionheart, from his father. However, Richard's claim to the Duchy was challenged by his uncle, Henry the Young King, who had been promised the Duchy by his father, King Henry II. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war, with the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France on opposite sides. The Great Conquest of Aquitaine was a complex and multifaceted conflict that involved a range of military campaigns, diplomatic maneuvers, and strategic alliances. The conflict was fought on multiple fronts, with English armies clashing with French forces in a series of bloody battles. The English army, led by King Henry II and his son, Richard the Lionheart, was ultimately successful in conquering the Duchy of Aquitaine, but the conflict came at a great cost in terms of lives, treasure, and diplomatic relations. ### Key Information * The Great Conquest of Aquitaine was a pivotal event in medieval European history, marking the beginning of a centuries-long struggle for control of the region between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. * The conflict was sparked by a dispute over the succession to the Duchy of Aquitaine, which had been inherited by Eleanor of Aquitaine through her marriage to King Henry II of England. * The Great Conquest of Aquitaine was fought on multiple fronts, with English armies clashing with French forces in a series of bloody battles. * The conflict came at a great cost in terms of lives, treasure, and diplomatic relations, but ultimately resulted in the English conquest of the Duchy of Aquitaine. * The Great Conquest of Aquitaine had significant long-term consequences for the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France, shaping the course of European politics for centuries to come. ### Significance The Great Conquest of Aquitaine was a defining moment in the history of the Plantagenet dynasty, which would go on to shape the course of English history for centuries to come. The conflict marked the beginning of a centuries-long struggle for control of the region between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France, which would have significant long-term consequences for European politics. The Great Conquest of Aquitaine also had a profound impact on the development of the English monarchy, shaping the course of English history and cementing the Plantagenet dynasty's place in the annals of English history. **INFOBOX:** - Name: The Great Conquest of Aquitaine - Type: Military Campaign - Date: 1173-1174 - Location: Duchy of Aquitaine (southwestern France) - Known For: English conquest of the Duchy of Aquitaine **TAGS:** Medieval History, Plantagenet Dynasty, Kingdom of England, Kingdom of France, Aquitaine, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II of England, Richard the Lionheart, Military Campaigns, European Politics.