Process Paper

Finding a Topic

I knew I wanted to do a project on a woman who was extraordinary and took a stand for
what she believed in. I read websites and biographies about women in history, from the Vikings
to the Renaissance. My reading suggested that Eleanor of Aquitaine was important for her time,
and so I read more. As I thought about how she took a stand in history it seemed that her life
said something more. Her impact was often lost in the political drama of her day, but it seem to
deserve a further look. The more I read, the more I was convinced she had a larger story to tell.

Research

To begin my research, I went to the library and checked out books. I found several
biographies, and a few articles in databases such as JSTOR. I conducted internet research as
well and came across some important primary sources. Online, I found a journal article by Rita
Sausmikat that had many primary source letters in the bibliography. These letters revealed a
personal side to Eleanor and helped show contemporary opinions of her. Another database,
Medieval and Early Modern Sources Online (MEMSO), included primary sources. Here, I found
several 11-13th century chronicles with material relating to Eleanor. Many primary sources were
written in Latin, but translations were available online, primarily from Fordham Sourcebook and
Epistolae. These primary sources showed Eleanors cunning and influence in a way I wanted to
capture in my website.

Choosing a Project Category and Creating My Website

After reading about the different NHD categories, I narrowed my choice down to a exhibit
or a website. My final choice was a website because there are almost no websites dedicated to
her life, and thought I could make a better contribution to history this way. The website format
was also appealing because the reader could interact with the material visually and focus on
important times in her life. I wanted to learn more about website creation, and this project was a
perfect way to do that. I built my website, then carefully went back over it, using comments from
regional judges to help revise and strengthen my argument.

Relation to the theme Taking a Stand in History

Eleanor of Aquitaine was an extraordinary woman who redefined the role of queen. She
took a firm position in her determination to have influence and a role in governing. She was an
active regent and retained control over her own vast lands through two marriages. She looked
out for her interests and fought hard to keep her independence and freedom of action. Although
she was not always successful in ways we might think, she always resisted the standard place
of women in a supporting role. She showed the possibilities for a woman as queen, but even
beyond that, she repeatedly challenged the conventions of her day. In this sense, her stand for
herself was a stand for all women.