Well, I have to say that the above carving is very startling. It is believed to be of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and has just been discovered at Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes. There is nothing in this article to say why they are so certain it’s Eleanor, but they seem in no doubt.
The first thing that occurred to me, however, was that the eyes reminded me very forcibly of the carving of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, the “Kingmaker”, as a mourner on the tomb of his father-in-law, Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick.
There is also a likeness of the Beauchamp tomb of the Kingmaker’s sister, Cecily Neville, Duchess of Warwick, and she too has these striking eyes. I’m told by a friend that in his biography of the Kingmaker, Professor Pollard decided there had been a real attempt to create a true likeness, so I imagine that these eyes must indeed be a trait in the Neville family.
There is an odd little story about Edward III, in which he apparently gave credence to the story of his family being descended from Melusine, the Devil’s daughter. The king claimed that the House of Plantagenet was descended from Melusine, and that slanting eyes appeared to be evidence of this. There is one member of that house who definitely had slanting eyes, Richard II.
So, where did those eyes originate? Or was it all mere coincidence that the likes of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Kingmaker and Richard II appear to have shared such a memorable feature?
Cecily, duchess of YORK?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, it was Cecily Neville, Duchess of Warwick. Not the other one.
LikeLike
Cecily, Duchess of Warwick was Salisbury’s daughter and sister of the “Kingmaker”. Her brother married Cecily’s husband’s sister, Anne. On the same day I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another marriage of siblings with no dispensation required? That Hicksosaurus is really struggling:
https://murreyandblue.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/two-brides-for-two-brothers/
LikeLiked by 2 people