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Henry II
Henry was known as an energetic, fierce, and intelligent man who was "passionate, grasping, authoritative" (Ibeji, BBCi). When he did assume the throne of England in 1154, he became known for his commitment to government affairs. He quickly suppressed his enemies and set up a stable administration, devoting his time to consolidating the laws of England and reforming the courts. In the Assize of Clarendon (1166), he "established procedures of criminal justice, establishing courts and prisons for those awaiting trial, in addition, the assizes gave fast and clear verdicts, enriched the treasury and extended the King's control" (Henry II, BBCi). As a result of Henry's actions, the English Common Law emerged and its consolidation would serve the judges and people of England far into the future.
The control of the church was another matter that Henry sought to get involved in. When he attempted to assert his ancient rights over the Church, he was met with resistance by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, whom he had appointed. He drew up proposals called the Constitutions of Clarendon that severely limited the authority of the Church in England, and both Becket and the Pope opposed them. The dispute led to Becket's exhile in France for six years, and when he eventually returned, the quarrel was resumed. It is at this time that Henry was rumored to have said, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest" (Roberts, Roberts, Bison, 109-110). Becket was murdered shortly thereafter by four knights of Henry's household and the scandal forced Henry to do penance for his alleged involvement and make concessions to the Church. He did retain the important right to control over the election of bishops and abbots, however. Over the course of his life, Henry managed to amass an amount of land through inheritance, marriage, and conquer that was never again rivaled in Western Europe. Henry did intend to pass it on as one consolidated territory though, and it was his division of the land amongst his sons that would cause much hostility. As W.L. Warren characterizes Henry's approach to his lands, Henry wanted to employ a federal system that would leave him at its head, but would rule each of his territories as separate entities with their own governments. Henry's sons were dissatisfied with the emptiness of the titles he gave them when he maintained absolute control, and they were also dissatisfied with his plans for the division itself. It was because of this that they frequently engaged in rebellion against him, and Henry was constantly weary of the actions of his sons. It was immediately following a rebellion started by them that he died in 1189, apparently from the despair of the betrayal of his most beloved son, John. Since he died in the castle at Chinon, his body was moved to the crypt in nearby Fontevrault Abbey. Back to Individual Biographies
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enry
was born in 1133, the son of Empress Matilda and Geoffrey the Fair, Duke of
Anjou. Through his mother he was able to lay claim to the English throne,
which had been usurped from her upon her father's death. Until Henry could
assume the throne of England, he was made the Duke of Normandy. It was
this title and his right to the crown that made him an attractive marriage
candidate for Eleanor of Aquitaine. They were married in 1152 and
had eight children together, though the marriage was categorized by years of
strife and Henry eventually imprisoned his wife for fifteen years to keep her
under his control. 
