Henry II Biography

During Stephen's reign, the barons had subverted feudal legislation to undermine the monarch's grip on the realm; Henry saw it as his first task to reverse this shift in power.

Henry II established courts in various parts of the country, and was the first king to grant power to magistrates. As a consequence of the improvements in the legal system, the power of church courts waned. The church opposed this, and its most vehement spokesman was Thomas à Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In 1170 Becket again confronted Henry, this time over the coronation of Prince Henry. The much-quoted words of Henry II echo down the centuries: "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" Four of his knights took their king literally, and assassinated Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.

Henry and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, had four sons and three daughters. Henry also had some ten children by at least four other women.

In 1170 his fifteen-year-old son Henry was crowned king, but he never actually ruled and is not counted in the monarchs of England; he is now known as Henry the Young King.

Henry II's attempt to divide his titles amongst his sons, but keep the power associated with them, provoked them into trying to take control of the lands assigned to them, and they often had the help of King Louis VII of France.

After the death of Henry the Young King in 1183, and also Henry’s second son, his third son, Richard the Lionheart, attacked and defeated Henry in 1189.

Henry died the same year.