Why Did They Get Into Heaven?

            I just finished reading "A Proud Taste For Scarlett and Miniver" by E.L Koningsburg. The book opens on a cloud in Heaven. Right away it becomes a little controversial. Heaven is a hotly debated topic: does it exist? is there a hell? how do you get there? is it eternal? is it nice? Koningsburg explains that this heaven is known as "Up." No one gets "up" right away, most have to spend some time in hell, to atone for any sins they made on Earth. Although Koningsburg does not go into what happens in Hell, she reveals that you cannot watch what is going on on Earth, while you can in Heaven.
               The people sitting on the cloud in Heaven are Empress Matilda, The Honorable Knight Sir William, Abbot Suger  and last, but certainly not least, Queen Eleanor of Aquitane. They are waiting for the arrival of Eleanor's husband, King Henry of England. Henry is to be judged on whether he can leave Hell and move "Up." Eleanor and Henry died not long apart, but Henry has sent more time in Hell, atoning for his sins. While they wait, the company discusses how Eleanor came to meet Henry, starting with Abbot Suger. Suger recalls the meeting of Eleanor and her first husband Louis. He tells of Louis' transition from a nice and ambitious young man to a pious and disillusioned king. He explains how Eleanor met Louis and married him. Empress Matilda (Louis' mother) takes over and explained Eleanor's happier and prosperous time with Henry, but then how he got too controlling and had an affair. She also recalls the beginning of Eleanor's orchestrated rebellion of her sons against him, after he took her lands. Sir william finishes up the story by telling of the death of Eleanor's sons, how Eleanor was locked up, and how she finally won. The book finishes with Henry arriving up, with Eleanor's sons.
                There is a saying, "Behind every great man there is a great woman." This is proven true in the book "A Proud Taste for Scarlett and Miniver." The dynamic between Eleanor and her husbands is reflected in how her husband rules his kingdom. Eleanor had a lot of power as queen of France and then England. Although her husbands had advisors, it was she who held the power to their happiness, and could influence him at his most vulnerable moments. Her power is evidenced several times in the book. When the first Louis, "Louis the fat" dies, Eleanor leaps into action making sure that she and Louis are known as King and Queen, which results in many people paying homage and helping assert their dominance. Eleanor is behind all of Louis's decisions, she tells him that he needs more lands and he goes out and fights wars to conquer them. As Abbot Suger says, "He listens to her instead of his conscience."
                This trend continues with her second husband, King Henry. When they are married, they are extremely happy and the land reflects that. Henry takes questions from the people and endeavors to please them, as he endeavors to please Eleanor. They travel around together and assess each land and England prospers enormously. However, when Henry and Eleanor fall out England plunges into wars and the people are not happy with the endless shedding of blood. When Eleanor exacts revenge onto her husband for having an affair, she takes Aquitane and holds it ransom. It is not right for monarchs to use their lands and people as pawns in their personal quarrels, in my opinion, but it also proves how much power Eleanor has over her husband. She knows he will stop at nothing to get the land back.
              They are all selfish, powerful and scheming but they are England so the land must obey them. Maybe the saying should go, "Behind every war ravaging man there is a selfish woman." I really don't understand why they are allowed in Heaven.