Nickname:<NICK> HENRY II 'CURT MANTEL' King Of England
Alias:<ALIA> /Curtmantle/
Acceded the throne December 19, 1154 in Westminster Abbey
Introduced trial by jury
Reigned England from 1154-1189
First King in the Plantagenet line--founder of the Plantagenet Dynasty.
Henry II, first ofthe Angevin kings, was one of the most effective of
all England's monarchs. He came to the throne amid the anarchy of
Stephen's reign and promptly collared his errant barons. He refined
Norman government and created a capable, self-standing bureaucracy. His
energy was equaled only by his ambition and intelligence. Henry survived
wars, rebellion, and controversy to successfully ruleone of the Middle
Ages most powerful kingdoms. Henry was raised in the French province of
Anjou and first visited England in 1142 to defend his mother's claim to
the disputed throne of Stephen. His continental possessions were already
vast before his coronation: He acquired Normandy and Anjou upon the dea
of his father in September 1151, and his French holdings more than
doubled with his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitane (ex-wife of King Louis
VII of France). In accordance with the Treaty of Wallingford, a
succession agreement signed by Stephen and Matilda in 1153, Henry was
crowned in October 1154. The continental empire ruled by Henry and his
sons included the French counties of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine,
Gascony, Anjou, Aquitane, and Normandy. Henry was technically a feudal
vassal of the king of France but, in reality, owned more territory and
was more powerful than his French lord. Although King John (Henry's son)
lost most of the English holdings in France, English kingslaid claim to
the French throne until the fifteenth century. Henry also extended his
territory in the British Isles in two significant ways. First, he
retrieved Cumbria and Northumbria form Malcom IV of Scotland and settled
the Anglo-Scot border in the North. Secondly, although his success with
Welsh campaigns was limited, Henry invaded Ireland and secured an Engli
presence on the island.
English and Norman barons in Stephen's reign manipulated feudal law to
undermine royal authority; Henry instituted many reforms to weaken
traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position. Unauthorized castl
built during the previous reign were razed. Monetary payments replaced
military service as the primary duty of vassals. The Exchequer was
revitalized to enforceaccurate record keeping and tax collection.
Incompetent sheriffs were replaced and the authority of royal courts was
expanded. Henry empowered a new social class of government clerks that
stabilized procedure - the government could operate effectively in the
king's absence and would subsequently prove sufficiently tenacious to
survive the reign of incompetent kings. Henry's reformsallowed the
emergence of a body of common law to replace the disparate customs of
feudal and county courts. Jury trials were initiated to end the old
Germanic trials by ordeal or battle. Henry's systematic approach to law
provided a common basis for development of royal institutions throughout
the entirerealm. The process of strengthening the royal courts, however,
yielded an unexpected controversy. The church courts instituted by
William the Conqueror became a safe haven for criminals of varying degr
and ability, for one in fifty of the English population qualified as
clerics. Henry wished to transfer sentencing in such cases to the royal
courts, as church courts merely demotedclerics to laymen. Thomas
Beckett, Henry's close friend and chancellor since1155, was named
Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162 but distanced himself from Henry
and vehemently opposed the weakening of church courts. Beckett fled
England in 1164, but through the intervention of Pope Adrian IV (the lo
English pope), returned in 1 170.He greatly angered Henry by opposing to
thecoronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry h
[Direct Linage1.FTW]
[JamesLinage.GED]
[sergent1.FTW]
Henry II, King of England. He was the first of the Angevin kings, and one of the most effective of all England's monarchs. His continental possessions were already vast before his coronation: he acquired Normandy and Anjou upon the death of his father in September 1151, and his French holdings more than doubled with his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The continental empire ruled by Henry included the French provinces of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Gascony, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Normandy. Henry was technically a feudal vassal of the king of France, but in reality, he owned more French territory and was more powerful than the French king. Henry also extended his territory in the British Isles in two significant ways. First, he retrieved Cumbria and Northumbria from Malcolm IV of Scotland and settled the Anglo-Scot border in the north. Secondly, although his success with Welsh campaigns was limited, Henry invaded Ireland and secured an English presence on the island. Henry instituted many reforms to weaken traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position. Thomas Beckett, Henry's close friend and chancellor since 1155, was named Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162, but distanced himself from Henry and vehemently opposed Henry's weakening of church courts. Beckett fled from England in 1164, but through the intervention of Pope Adrian IV, returned in 1170. He greatly angered Henry by opposing the the coronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry hastily and publicly conveyed his desire to be rid of the contentious Archbishop. Four knights took the king at his word and murdered Beckett in his own cathedral on 29 December 1170. Henry's plans of dividing his myriad lands and titles evoked treachery from his sons. At the encouragement of their mother, they rebelled against their father several times, often with Louis VII of France as their accomplice. The deaths of Henry the Young king in 1183 and Geoffrey in 1186 gave no respite from his children's rebellious nature. Richard, with the assistance of Philip II of France, attacked and defeated Henry on 4 July 1189 and forced him to accept a humiliating peace. Henry II died two days later.
[ag721.ged]
Had Thomas Becket killed
First Plantaganet King 1154-1189 , also known as Curt Mantel
Died wile fighting his son Richard[1748129.ged]
Custom Field:<_FA#> PRINCE De WESTERN CHRISTIANDOM
Custom Field:<_FA#> PLANTAG ENET
Custom Field:<_FA#> COUNT De ANJOU
Custom Field:<_FA#> DUKE De NORMassachusettsNDY
Custom Field:<_FA#> Ruled 1154-1189[JamesTree.FTW]
[ag721.ged]
Had Thomas Becket killed
First Plantaganet King 1154-1189 , also known as Curt Mantel
Died wile fighting his son RichardHenry II, King of England. He was the first of the Angevin kings, and one of the most effective of all England's monarchs. His continental possessions were already vast before his coronation: he acquired Normandy and Anjou upon the death of his father in September 1151, and his French holdings more than doubled with his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The continental empire ruled by Henry included the French provinces of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Gascony, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Normandy. Henry was technically a feudal vassal of the king of France, but in reality, he owned more French territory and was more powerful than the French king. Henry also extended his territory in the British Isles in two significant ways. First, he retrieved Cumbria and Northumbria from Malcolm IV of Scotland and settled the Anglo-Scot border in the north. Secondly, although his success with Welsh campaigns was limited, Henry invaded Ireland and secured an English presence on the island. Henry instituted many reforms to weaken traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position. Thomas Beckett, Henry's close friend and chancellor since 1155, was named Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162, but distanced himself from Henry and vehemently opposed Henry's weakening of church courts. Beckett fled from England in 1164, but through the intervention of Pope Adrian IV, returned in 1170. He greatly angered Henry by opposing the the coronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry hastily and publicly conveyed his desire to be rid of the contentious Archbishop. Four knights took the king at his word and murdered Beckett in his own cathedral on 29 December 1170. Henry's plans of dividing his myriad lands and titles evoked treachery from his sons. At the encouragement of their mother, they rebelled against their father several times, often with Louis VII of France as their accomplice. The deaths of Henry the Young king in 1183 and Geoffrey in 1186 gave no respite from his children's rebellious nature. Richard, with the assistance of Philip II of France, attacked and defeated Henry on 4 July 1189 and forced him to accept a humiliating peace. Henry II died two days later.
[sergent1.FTW]
Henry II, King of England. He was the first of the Angevin kings, and one of the most effective of all England's monarchs. His continental possessions were already vast before his coronation: he acquired Normandy and Anjou upon the death of his father in September 1151, and his French holdings more than doubled with his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The continental empire ruled by Henry included the French provinces of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Gascony, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Normandy. Henry was technically a feudal vassal of the king of France, but in reality, he owned more French territory and was more powerful than the French king. Henry also extended his territory in the British Isles in two significant ways. First, he retrieved Cumbria and Northumbria from Malcolm IV of Scotland and settled the Anglo-Scot border in the north. Secondly, although his success with Welsh campaigns was limited, Henry invaded Ireland and secured an English presence on the island. Henry instituted many reforms to weaken traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position. Thomas Beckett, Henry's close friend and chancellor since 1155, was named Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162, but distanced himself from Henry and vehemently opposed Henry's weakening of church courts. Beckett fled from England in 1164, but through the intervention of Pope Adrian IV, returned in 1170. He greatly angered Henry by opposing the the coronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry hastily and publicly conveyed his desire to be rid of the contentious Archbishop. Four knights took the king at his word and murdered Beckett in his own cathedral on 29 December 1170. Henry's plans of dividing his myriad lands and titles evoked treachery from his sons. At the encouragement of their mother, they rebelled against their father several times, often with Louis VII of France as their accomplice. The deaths of Henry the Young king in 1183 and Geoffrey in 1186 gave no respite from his children's rebellious nature. Richard, with the assistance of Philip II of France, attacked and defeated Henry on 4 July 1189 and forced him to accept a humiliating peace. Henry II died two days later.
[sergent1.FTW]
Henry II, King of England. He was the first of the Angevin kings, and one of the most effective of all England's monarchs. His continental possessions were already vast before his coronation: he acquired Normandy and Anjou upon the death of his father in September 1151, and his French holdings more than doubled with his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The continental empire ruled by Henry included the French provinces of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Gascony, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Normandy. Henry was technically a feudal vassal of the king of France, but in reality, he owned more French territory and was more powerful than the French king. Henry also extended his territory in the British Isles in two significant ways. First, he retrieved Cumbria and Northumbria from Malcolm IV of Scotland and settled the Anglo-Scot border in the north. Secondly, although his success with Welsh campaigns was limited, Henry invaded Ireland and secured an English presence on the island. Henry instituted many reforms to weaken traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position. Thomas Beckett, Henry's close friend and chancellor since 1155, was named Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162, but distanced himself from Henry and vehemently opposed Henry's weakening of church courts. Beckett fled from England in 1164, but through the intervention of Pope Adrian IV, returned in 1170. He greatly angered Henry by opposing the the coronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry hastily and publicly conveyed his desire to be rid of the contentious Archbishop. Four knights took the king at his word and murdered Beckett in his own cathedral on 29 December 1170. Henry's plans of dividing his myriad lands and titles evoked treachery from his sons. At the encouragement of their mother, they rebelled against their father several times, often with Louis VII of France as their accomplice. The deaths of Henry the Young king in 1183 and Geoffrey in 1186 gave no respite from his children's rebellious nature. Richard, with the assistance of Philip II of France, attacked and defeated Henry on 4 July 1189 and forced him to accept a humiliating peace. Henry II died two days later.
[ag721.ged]
Had Thomas Becket killed
First Plantaganet King 1154-1189 , also known as Curt Mantel
Died wile fighting his son Richard[JamesLinage.FTW]
[sergent1.FTW]
Henry II, King of England. He was the first of the Angevin kings, and one of the most effective of all England's monarchs. His continental possessions were already vast before his coronation: he acquired Normandy and Anjou upon the death of his father in September 1151, and his French holdings more than doubled with his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The continental empire ruled by Henry included the French provinces of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Gascony, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Normandy. Henry was technically a feudal vassal of the king of France, but in reality, he owned more French territory and was more powerful than the French king. Henry also extended his territory in the British Isles in two significant ways. First, he retrieved Cumbria and Northumbria from Malcolm IV of Scotland and settled the Anglo-Scot border in the north. Secondly, although his success with Welsh campaigns was limited, Henry invaded Ireland and secured an English presence on the island. Henry instituted many reforms to weaken traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position. Thomas Beckett, Henry's close friend and chancellor since 1155, was named Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162, but distanced himself from Henry and vehemently opposed Henry's weakening of church courts. Beckett fled from England in 1164, but through the intervention of Pope Adrian IV, returned in 1170. He greatly angered Henry by opposing the the coronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry hastily and publicly conveyed his desire to be rid of the contentious Archbishop. Four knights took the king at his word and murdered Beckett in his own cathedral on 29 December 1170. Henry's plans of dividing his myriad lands and titles evoked treachery from his sons. At the encouragement of their mother, they rebelled against their father several times, often with Louis VII of France as their accomplice. The deaths of Henry the Young king in 1183 and Geoffrey in 1186 gave no respite from his children's rebellious nature. Richard, with the assistance of Philip II of France, attacked and defeated Henry on 4 July 1189 and forced him to accept a humiliating peace. Henry II died two days later.
[ag721.ged]
Had Thomas Becket killed
First Plantaganet King 1154-1189 , also known as Curt Mantel
Died wile fighting his son Richard[1748129.ged]
Custom Field:<_FA#> PRINCE De WESTERN CHRISTIANDOM
Custom Field:<_FA#> PLANTAG ENET
Custom Field:<_FA#> COUNT De ANJOU
Custom Field:<_FA#> DUKE De NORMassachusettsNDY
Custom Field:<_FA#> Ruled 1154-1189[JamesLinage.GED]
[sergent1.FTW]
Henry II, King of England. He was the first of the Angevin kings, and one of the most effective of all England's monarchs. His continental possessions were already vast before his coronation: he acquired Normandy and Anjou upon the death of his father in September 1151, and his French holdings more than doubled with his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The continental empire ruled by Henry included the French provinces of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Gascony, Anjou, Aquitaine, and Normandy. Henry was technically a feudal vassal of the king of France, but in reality, he owned more French territory and was more powerful than the French king. Henry also extended his territory in the British Isles in two significant ways. First, he retrieved Cumbria and Northumbria from Malcolm IV of Scotland and settled the Anglo-Scot border in the north. Secondly, although his success with Welsh campaigns was limited, Henry invaded Ireland and secured an English presence on the island. Henry instituted many reforms to weaken traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position. Thomas Beckett, Henry's close friend and chancellor since 1155, was named Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162, but distanced himself from Henry and vehemently opposed Henry's weakening of church courts. Beckett fled from England in 1164, but through the intervention of Pope Adrian IV, returned in 1170. He greatly angered Henry by opposing the the coronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry hastily and publicly conveyed his desire to be rid of the contentious Archbishop. Four knights took the king at his word and murdered Beckett in his own cathedral on 29 December 1170. Henry's plans of dividing his myriad lands and titles evoked treachery from his sons. At the encouragement of their mother, they rebelled against their father several times, often with Louis VII of France as their accomplice. The deaths of Henry the Young king in 1183 and Geoffrey in 1186 gave no respite from his children's rebellious nature. Richard, with the assistance of Philip II of France, attacked and defeated Henry on 4 July 1189 and forced him to accept a humiliating peace. Henry II died two days later.
[ag721.ged]
Had Thomas Becket killed
First Plantaganet King 1154-1189 , also known as Curt Mantel
Died wile fighting his son Richard[1748129.ged]
Custom Field:<_FA#> PRINCE De WESTERN CHRISTIANDOM
Custom Field:<_FA#> PLANTAG ENET
Custom Field:<_FA#> COUNT De ANJOU
Custom Field:<_FA#> DUKE De NORMassachusettsNDY
Custom Field:<_FA#> Ruled 1154-1189