Westminster. Rouen. Chinon. Poitiers. The Four Centres Of Power For Henry II Plantagenet. Mediæval King Of England, 1154 – 1189. Friend And Foe Of Thomas à Becket. (Part Two).

Soundtrack from Simon Schama’s

“A History of Britain”,

which included King Henry II's reign.

Sung by Emma Kirkby (Soprano)

Music by John Harle.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,

unless stated otherwise.

Henry was an energetic and sometimes ruthless Ruler, driven by a desire to restore the lands and privileges of his Royal Grandfather, King Henry I. During the early years of the younger Henry's Reign, he restored the Royal Administration in England, re-established hegemony over Wales, and gained full control over his lands in Anjou, Maine and Touraine, all in France.

Henry’s desire to reform the relationship with The Church led to conflict with his former friend, Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. This controversy lasted for much of the 1160s and resulted in Becket's murder in 1170. Henry soon came into conflict with King Louis VII of France, and the two Rulers fought what has been termed a "Cold War" over several decades.

Henry expanded his Empire, often at Louis’ expense, taking Brittany, and pushing East into Central France and South into Toulouse.

Despite numerous Peace Conferences and Treaties, no lasting agreement was reached. By 1172, he controlled England, large parts of Wales, the Eastern half of Ireland and the Western half of France, an area that would later come to be called the Angevin Empire.

Henry and Eleanor had eight children. As they grew up, tensions over the future inheritance of The Empire began to emerge, encouraged by King Louis of France and his son, King Philip II. 

In 1173, Henry’s heir apparent, “Young Henry”, rebelled in protest; he was joined by his brothers, Richard and Geoffrey, and by their mother, Eleanor.

France, Scotland, Flanders, and Boulogne, allied themselves with the Rebels. The Great Revolt was only defeated by his vigorous military action and talented local commanders, many of them “new men” appointed for their loyalty and administrative skills. Young Henry and Geoffrey revolted again in 1183, resulting in Young Henry’s death.

PART THREE FOLLOWS.