2011 Tours

In the Steps of the Plantagenets

Led by Dr. Pamela Marshall

24th – 31st July 2011

   

The Plantagenet dynasty had a romantic beginning with the accession of Henry II in 1154, two years after his controversial marriage with Eleanor of Aquitaine, heiress of a great duchy and, until recently, queen of France. The political map of France was thrown into turmoil by this alliance, which created the vast Angevin Empire that stretched from the Scottish Borders to the Pyrenees. The subsequent power struggle between this colourful pair and their royal French overlords carried on into the next generation, while the internal politics of Henry and Eleanor’s family were no less turbulent. Fontevraud stands on the border between the ancestral heartlands of the Plantagenet counts of Anjou and the Dukes of Aquitaine. Its abbey, founded at the turn of the 12th century, became the mother house of the new Fontevrist Order, unusual in that it encompassed both monks and nuns, but more so since its supreme head was a woman. From its inception this innovatory institution enjoyed patronage from both of their neighbouring noble families and this continued throughout Henry and Eleanor’s lifetimes. Fontevraud provided King John’s nursery education, a retirement home for Queen Eleanor, and ultimately a Plantagenet mausoleum. With the abbey as a base, this tour will explore sites associated with the Plantagenet dynasty, investigating aspects of their history from their earliest forebears to their apogée as rulers of their great empire.

For almost 800 years the abbesses of Fontevraud were supplied by noble and royal families, under whose firm influence the institution prospered. After the Revolution it became a prison but its Romanesque and Renaissance magnificence has now been restored. The study tour will be based for 7 nights in a former priory situated within the abbey precinct. Dedicated to St. Lazare, it was founded in the early 12th century and retains a Romanesque chapel endowed by Henry II. It was largely rebuilt in more affluent style during the 17th century. Now a comfortable hotel the bedrooms of Hôtellerie Prieuré St. Lazare were the former nuns’ cells and the refectory, cloister and chapter house serve as dining rooms. Guests enjoy the privilege of roaming the abbey grounds and gardens in the peace of balmy evenings when the visitors have gone.

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A full itinerary of daily visits will include

castles and churches associated with the Plantagenet dynasty, dating from the 4th century to the Renaissance:

Day 1 Sunday: 11.05 departure from London Stansted to Tours, arriving 13.25. Transfer to Fontevraud.

Day 2 Monday:Tour of Fontevraud Abbey and visit to historic town of Saumur, including the Château.

Day 3 Tuesday: City of Poitiers, capital of the Poitou region of Aquitaine, including Romanesque churches of Notre-Dame-la-Grande; Ste. Radegonde; Cathedral of St. Pierre; late Roman Baptistery of St. Jean, with Romanesque wall paintings; hall of the Ducal Palace.

Day 4 Wednesday: Archaeological site of a rare Carolingian Hall and early castle site at Doué-la-Fontaine; traditional underground (troglodyte) village and church at Rochemenier; Château de Montreuil-Bellay

Day 5 Thursday: Visit to the motte & bailey castle at Beaufort-en-Vallée, where Queen Berengaria heard the news of Richard I’s death; City of Angers on the River Maine, western capital of the counts of Anjou, with visits to the Cathedral of St. Maurice and Château, including the splendid 14thC Tapestry of the Apocalypse

Day 6 Friday: Morning in the picturesque Loire town of Langeais, with visit to the early castle site (c.1000) and 14thC Château, which houses a rare collection of medieval furniture and hangings. Afternoon in Chinon, by the River Vienne, where both Henry II and Richard I met their deaths, with visit to the Château.

Day 7 Saturday: visit to Loches on the River Indre, impressive eastern capital of Anjou, with visits to the 11thC Abbey of Beaulieu les Loches; 11thC skyscraper castle of Fulk Nerra and his Plantagenet descendants; 14thC/15thC Royal Apartments of the French kings; Romanesque church of St. Ours, with the tomb of Agnes Sorrel.

Day 8 Sunday: Transfer to Tours for 13.50 departure for Stansted, arriving 14.10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost:

The price includes:
Air transport to France; air-conditioned coach transport in France; en-suite accommodation with breakfast and 3-course dinner (wine and coffee included); entrance fees, tuition and gratuities.

Cost: Accommodation based on a shared room, either double or twin.

• Chambre de Tradition: £1,445pp (with shower) Single supplement £235

• Chambre de Grande Tradition: £1,480pp (more spacious with bath, bathrobes, hairdryer) Single supplement £285

Reduction of £25 pp for each booking received by Jan 31st 2011
This tour is ATOL protected.

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