Henry II

Henry II


House / Group: Plantagenet
Born / died: 1133-1189
Reign: 1154-1189


Born  at Le Mans, to the Empress Maud (daughter of Henry I) and her second husband, Geoffrey the Fair, Count of Anjou. He visited England to help his mother in her disputed claim to the English throne.
Before taking the throne, he ruled Normandy and Anjou; marrying Eleanor of Aquitaine added further areas of France.
Henry's claim to the throne arose from the death of Stephen's son and heir Eustace, when he came to an arrangement with Henry's mother Maud. Henry was the first of the Plantagenet, or Angevin (from Anjou) kings.
Henry and Eleanor had five children (William, Henry, Richard (I), Geoffrey, (King) John, Matilda, Eleanor, and Joan). Henry also had numerous mistresses (including his son Richard's fiancé Alys) and illegitimate children, several of whom were brought up with his legitimate offspring.
Henry's second son (another Henry, 'the Younger') was crowned during his father's reign, but never ruled. Henry tried to divide his kingdom amongst his legitimate sons, without giving them power (shades of King Lear), and this led to them attempting rebellion, often with the aid of the King of France, but never successfully. Henry died at the Chateau Chinon was buried at Fontevraud Abbey, near Chinon and Saumur
Henry II's coat of arms were gules a lion rampant or (red background with a golden lion on hind legs).