Eleanor of Castile

ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor and gouache, 2008.

An ACEO portrait of Eleanor of Castile, the mother of Edward II. She was born in 1241, the daughter of Fernando III of Castile and his second wife Jeanne. She was married to Edward I, son of Henry III in 1254. The marriage was a happy and successful one, producing sixteen children in all, though only six survived to adulthood, the only surviving son being the future Edward II. She died in 1290 aged 49, at Harby. After her death and burial at Westminster Abbey Edward had memorial crosses placed at every stop he made on the journey from Lincoln to Westminster with her body. There were twelve in all, of which only three remain, none complete.

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