The Crusades and the Soldiers of the Cross: The 10 Most Important Crusaders, From German Emperors to Charismatic Hermits, Child Armies, and Warrior Lepers by Rank Michael

Author:Rank, Michael
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Five Minute Books
Published: 2013-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

In preparing for the Crusade, Eleanor made plans to be accompanied by 1,000 knights and 300 ladies with her, the latter of which she planned to go and help tend the wounded. The presence of her ladies and wagons of female servants, along with their purely decorative lances and armor, earned the scorn of commentators, who thought that such conspicuous consumption was inappropriate on a holy crusade and a difficult journey where even food was difficult to come by. One chronicler claims that she took a group of minstrels and troubadours with her, which were clearly out of place on the expedition and led them while wearing boots embroidered in gold. This earned her the moniker La dame aux jambes d'or, or, “The lady with the golden feet,” likely said with tongue firmly planted in cheek. According to one legend, Eleanor and her ladies dressed as Amazons during the Second Crusade as a testimony to the queen's love of such Greek legends about the warrior women's conquests and bravery. Most historians, however, have discounted this story as the exaggerations of an exasperated writer annoyed with the queen's excess. However, this apocryphal legend about her interest in fashion does have an element of truth in it. She introduced new forms of dress from the Middle East to France and England following her return to Europe, making a contribution to the increasing interactions between the two cultures after the Crusades.

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