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Eleanor's Final Journey Widely regarded as 'the jewel of Milton Keynes,' Stony Stratford is also steeped in history.

Bury Field, Newport Pagnell

Stony Stratford High Street

Widely regarded convenience, Edward and Eleanor King Edward I had travelled to be Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Street. It was destroyed during the as 'the jewel of fell madly in love - on Easter by her side, and her death left him Geddington, , Stony Civil War by the Parliamentarians, Milton Keynes,' Monday, Edward would let Eleanor's inconsolable. Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable, St but today, a commemorative Stony Stratford is ladies trap him in his bed, before He wrote, “I loved her dearly Albans, Waltham, Cheapside, and plaque can be found at 157 High alsoW steeped in history. paying a token ransom so that he during her lifetime...I shall not Charing Cross. Street. There has been a settlement in could go to her bedroom the first cease to love her now that she is A state burial then followed at the area since the Roman times, day following Lent! dead.” Westminster Abbey. MURAL the origin of the term, 'a cock and They were so united that when her Aware of her failing health, Today, just three of the And now, more than 700 years bull story' is claimed by the town, husband embarked on his crusades Queen Eleanor had been planning impressive original crosses since Eleanor passed through and there are many more nuggets to the Holy Land, Eleanor would for her death - ordering images for remain; at Geddington, Waltham Stony Stratford on her final of historical interest to be explored. accompany him. her tomb, and arranging for her and Hardingstone in Northampton. journey, the new 30ft high mural But we have to go back more than During one such military heart to be buried at Blackfriars in It is perhaps poignant that ensures her memory still looms 700 years to learn the story behind expedition, Edward was wounded in . the one on the outskirts of large over the town. a striking mural which has recently the arm by a knife that was believed Her body was embalmed at Northampton is among the few "I was absolutely thrilled to been added to the High Street... to be poisoned. Storytellers said St Catherine's Priory in Lincoln, survivors – the royal couple were produce this piece for Stony The painting of Eleanor sucked the poison from the and the viscera buried at Lincoln said to be regular visitors to the Stratford,” artist Luke said. is the work of town resident Luke wound to save his life. But while Cathedral. town; Northampton Castle (one of “I loved getting to know all the McDonnell, and serves as a the tale proved popular, it has long Her body was buried in a tomb the most famous Norman castles locals over the 10 days and nights memorial to the Queen Consort been discredited! at Westminster Abbey, but the in ) and local hunting it took to produce. Stony Stratford whose body passed through Stony In 1272 upon the death of his journey there was a long one, lodges would have seen them has given so much to me in the The Eleanor Stratford following her death in father, King Henry III, Edward was and the deceased Queen and her gravitate to the area, and Queen two years I've lived here. Hopefully 1290. crowned King Of England. entourage 'rested' in many places Eleanor's business empire was this is seen as me giving a little Cross in Stony Accounts vary, but Eleanor of Eleanor bore Edward at least along the way, including Stony rooted there too. back." Castile was believed to have been 16 children, although just five Stratford. The in Stony Queen Eleanor's tomb is in St. Stratford stood just 13 years old when she was daughters and one son survived Stratford stood at the lower end Edward the Confessor's chapel at married to 15-year-old Edward I, in into adulthood. QUEEN ELEANOR CROSSES of the town, which is now the High Westminster Abbey. n at the lower 1254. King Edward announced that in Eleanor appears to have been DEATH her honour, a memorial would be end of the town, well educated, which was unusual The Queen was at the King's side erected at each place that hosted which is now the for the time. She was a clever until 1290, when she was taken ill an overnight stop on the journey. Milton Keynes Museum is one of the best interactive museums, businesswoman, and a keen on a journey to meet her husband The stone monuments were tall a perfect outing for all ages, staffed by friendly volunteers, and highly recommended by visitors on TripAdvisor. High Street. supporter of literature. in Scotland. She was recorded to and elaborately decorated. John of . be suffering from a 'slow fever.' Battle was the architect of five of This feature was written by Milton Keynes Museum. Find out A PERFECT MATCH Eleanor was treated at a manor these crosses, including the one in more about forthcoming events and see our opening times at: Though their marriage was house near Lincoln, but failed to Stony Stratford. www.mkmuseum.org.uk. considered to be one of recover. The Queen's coffin stayed in The Queen Eleanor mural created by local artist Luke McDonnell

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