The young Princess did not stay long in England at this time. She
returned to the Continent, no doubt to continue her education under the
influence of her royal relatives in Spain and France. Her half-brother,
Alfonso, was a man of much ability and high culture. His astronomical
researches are known to this day, and he is distinguished by the title
of “El Sabio” among the early Kings of Spain. Eleanor’s education was,
therefore, carried on under conditions more favourable than might be
expected in such a troubled age. The influences thus exerted on her
developing character left their mark throughout her life, and more than
once her love of beautiful things and the encouragement she gave to
learning appear in the fragmentary records of her history.
Edward, on the other hand, probably gained little in the way of
discipline or of military or political training from his father. It was
in the merciless school of rebellion and civil strife that he was to
receive his first hard lessons, the results of which may be traced
throughout his career. His early association with Simon de Montfort, a
leader of much genius, afforded him his first training in warfare. This
training never stood him in better stead than when, after his final
rupture with this great leader, the battle of Evesham gave him the
opportunity of putting in practice what he had learned against his old
master. At the same time his experience of the meaner side of the
miserable politics of this period produced the distortion of Edward’s
character which marred many of his great actions in the future.
It was not till the Barons’ Wars were approaching their termination that
Eleanor definitely took up her residence in England. The domestic life
of the young Prince and Princess may be reckoned as commencing about the
year 1264, ten years after their marriage, when their eldest child,
named after her mother, was born. Eleanor seems to have lived a very
domesticated life,[23] principally at Windsor and in her Castle at
Guildford, and there is evidence that her gracious character and many
acts of kindness to the neighbouring people soon began to have their
inevitable effect. She showed early the desire to accompany her husband
on his travels, one of the most characteristic features of her later
life. Edward, on the other hand, was still under the shadow of his
father. The state of English politics was exceedingly perturbed, and the
King’s eldest son was much involved in the intrigues of the time. The
strength of Edward’s character frequently showed itself by courage and
enterprise in the field of battle, by political insight and evidences of
good statesmanship; but his impetuosity and his lack of consideration
led to frequent acts of harshness which must have alienated many who
would otherwise have been supporters of the royal house, and his conduct
in private must have frequently been a cause of anxiety and mental
distress to his young Princess.
Footnote 23:
Eleanor did not escape experience of the alarms of war, even at this
early age, as may be inferred from the sudden orders for the
retirement of the Princess and her household from Windsor to
Westminster after the battle of Lewes. (Foedera i, part ii, p. 563.)