Richard the Lionheart by John Gillingham

Henry’s first major duty as king was to restore territories that had been lost in Stephen’s reign. Stephen’s reign had seen civil war and anarchy – and England still had to recover to an extent. Nevertheless, he still had major tasks ahead of him. According to the historian Simon Jenkins, Henry ‘had a raging temper and a taste for revenge, yet he could be calm and conciliatory, wise and dignified.’ Similarly, the renowned monarchical historian David Starkey cites Henry II as the origin of the infamous Plantagenet rage (which we shall also see in the characteristics of the majority of his descendants) and was even known to chew carpets when infuriated.ĭespite being only 21 (almost middle-aged by twelfth century standards) when he became king, Henry was already well-versed in his political knowledge, having being involved in English affairs from across the channel since he had been 14 years old. Henry II ascended the throne on 19 December 1154, upon the death of King Stephen. Preceded: Richard I (his eldest surviving son).

Marriage: Eleanor of Aquitaine on in Poitiers Cathedral, Kingdom of France. Succeeded: Stephen (Henry II was the son of Matilda from her marriage to Geoffrey Plantagenet, and Matilda was the daughter of Henry I – therefore, Henry II was Henry I’s grandson). Born: 5 March 1133 in Le Mans, Maine, Kingdom of France.

Richard the Lionheart by John Gillingham