d‘Anjou, Henry II ’Curtmantle', King of England

Birth Name d‘Anjou, Henry II ’Curtmantle', King of England
Gender male
Age at Death 56 years, 4 months, 1 day

Narrative

Henry was the First of the Angevin kings. He was a powerful thickset, red-haired, freckled man. The name is derived from his emblem, the broom shrub, which bears the botanical name Planta Genesta later corrupted to Plantagenet. He spent much of his reign in France but did not neglect matters at home, carrying out important improvements in the legal system including widespread use of juries, and he did his best to ensure that justice was fair to all. He appointed his close friend Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury but once installed, Becket continually opposed him, particularly regarding the necessary reformation of the ecclesiastical courts. The King had the Pope's backing and he called a meeting of the Great Council at Clarendon after which the Constitutions of Clarendon were issued. Shortly after, Becket fled the country. He returned in 1170 but promptly fell out with King. Henry was furious and cried out 'Who will avenge me of this turbulent priest!'. Four knights who heard him mistook Henry's meaning and straightway rode off to Canterbury and on Tuesday, 29 December 1170 murdered Becket in the Cathedral.
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Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 1133-03-05 Le Mans, France    
Death 1189-07-06 Chinon Castle, Chinon, Berri, France    
Burial   Fontevraud Abbey, Fontevraud, France    

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Plantagenet, Geoffrey V ‘the Fair’, Comte d'Anjou et Maine1113-08-241151-09-07
Mother of England, Matilda ‘the Empress’about 1102-08-001167-09-10
         d‘Anjou, Henry II ’Curtmantle', King of England 1133-03-05 1189-07-06

Families

Family of d‘Anjou, Henry II ’Curtmantle‘, King of England and , Eleanor Duchess d’Aquitaine

Married Wife , Eleanor Duchess d'Aquitaine ( * between 1120 and 1122 + 1204-04-01 )
   
Event Date Place Description Sources
Marriage 1152-05-18 Bordeaux Cathedral, Bordeaux, Dauphine, France    
  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
of England, Matilda1156-06-001189-06-28
Plantagenet, Geoffrey II, Earl of Richmond1158-09-231186-08-19
Plantagenet, Eleanor1162-10-131214-10-31
, John I ‘Lackland’, King of England1167-12-241216-10-19

Family of d‘Anjou, Henry II ’Curtmantle', King of England and de Tosny, Ida

Unmarried Partner de Tosny, Ida ( * + ... )
  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
Longespée, William 1st Earl of Salisburybetween 1160 and 11701226