HenryII
Henry II was King of England from 1154 until his death in 1189. He was the first monarch of the House of Plantagenet. Born in 1133, he was the son of Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, and Empress Matilda. Henry's reign marked a significant period of consolidation and reform in English governance.
He inherited a kingdom ravaged by civil war, known as The Anarchy, and immediately set about restoring
His reign was not without its challenges. The most famous dispute was with Thomas Becket, Archbishop of
In addition to his English territories, Henry held vast lands in France, including Normandy, Anjou, and Aquitaine.
Henry II was a complex and powerful ruler, often described as restless and formidable. He died in