In The Journey East, Mark Richard Beaulieu continues the adventurous life of Eleanor of Aquitaine with a second volume set in the historically rich 12th century. At age 14 the young French Queen brings her culture into conflicted Paris where she will become a mother, and with her court, lead an army on an amazing journey of personal destinations. With hair the color of golden fire, this parentless girl is brought East into Paris. Married to King Louis the Seventh, Eleanor is not allowed to bring her Aquitaine chevaliers, troubadours, or friends. She runs up against the French Court, a reigning Queen, and a dark city of obedient religion. Outside of Paris a new cathedral being made of glowing walls of stained glass is run by Abbot Adam Suger. He is in conflict with Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, the nemesis of Eleanor's family. In the division of faith Eleanor takes sides, but not as you might expect in this contest for power. The young attractive queen faces trials of majesty to bring light to Paris. Upholding her sister's marriage and dealing with factions that struggle to divide the realm, Eleanor and her king are swept up into the French civil war. After her first child, her Aquitaine messenger birds warn that The Crusade of her forefathers would not be the last.Recruiting the greatest land army ever assembled, using her seductive skills, Eleanor embarks on a 3,000 mile journey East across medieval Europe to enter the ill-fated Second Crusade. She, her champions, and court train of three hundred women encounter the enchanting culture of Byzantium - the greatest city in the world. After a luxurious stay, they cross into mountainous Outremer, and begin the brutal winter war against the Saracens. Eleanor and her friends will test the bounds of chivalry, love, courage, endurance, and limits of faith. This is an amazing exploration and passionate telling of her journey and her people.---In development for twelve years, and based on recent historic research, this story significantly updates the historical writings on Eleanor of Aquitaine. Discover how she will become one of the most powerful and enigmatic women of the middle ages as she develops her own Eleanor Code. Born Alienor d'Aquitaine in 1124, died in 1204, she twice becomes a queen, once for France with King Louis 7th, then for England with King Henri 2nd.In development for twelve years and based on the latest scholarly research, these stories significantly update earlier fictions about the world of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Each character comes across challenges that many a young person faces and resolves them in exciting, unusual ways – leading to the creation of the Eleanor Code.This is the 4th printing, updated December, 2014.Review by the Historical Novel Society. http://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/eleanor-of-aquitaine-the-journey-east/