Louis, who was unworldly and young for his years, was puppyishly devoted to his beautiful wife. Eleanor was much less impressed. According to later gossip she said he was more monk than King. Eleanor's role as consort was to give Louis an heir and it may be evidence of her distaste for the job that it was eight years before she gave birth for the first time. The baby was strong, healthy and perfect in every way except for the fact that she was a girl. But Eleanor was still only 21. And, from their court in Paris, there was another project consuming the royal couple. Louis and Eleanor had decided to go on crusade.