henry_ii england henry_ii march july known french court ruled count count maine duke normandy duke count king england lord ireland times controlled wales scotland brittany henry son daughter actively involved age mother efforts claim throne england occupied duke normandy inherited shortly married eleanor marriage france recently stephen agreed peace treaty henry military expedition england henry inherited kingdom stephen death year later henry energetic ruthless ruler driven desire restore lands privileges royal grandfather early years younger henry reign restored royal administration england established wales gained control lands maine henry desire reform relationship church led conflict friend archbishop_of_canterbury controversy lasted resulted murder henry soon came conflict rulers fought termed cold war decades henry expanded empire expense taking brittany pushing east central france south despite numerous peace conferences treaties lasting agreement reached controlled england large parts wales eastern half ireland western half france area later come called henry eleanor children grew tensions future inheritance empire began emerge encouraged louis son king philip henry heir apparent young henry rebelled protest joined brothers richard mother eleanor france scotland flanders allied rebels great revolt defeated vigorous military action talented local commanders new men appointed loyalty administrative skills young henry revolted resulting young henry death norman invasion ireland provided lands youngest son john henry struggled find ways satisfy sons desires land immediate power philip successfully played richard fears henry john king final rebellion broke decisively defeated philip richard suffering bleeding henry retreated died henry empire quickly collapsed reign youngest son john changes henry introduced long rule long term consequences henry legal changes generally considered laid basis english common law intervention brittany wales scotland shaped development societies governmental systems historical interpretations henry reign changed considerably time 18th century scholars argued henry driving force creation genuinely english monarchy ultimately unified britain victorian expansion british_empire historians interested formation henry empire expressed concern private life treatment century historians combined british french historical accounts henry challenging earlier anglo centric interpretations reign early years henry born france march eldest child count titled marriage french county formed 10th century rulers attempted centuries extend influence power france careful marriages political alliances theory county answered french king royal power weakened 11th century county largely autonomous henry mother eldest daughter henry king england duke normandy born powerful ruling class traditionally owned extensive estates england normandy married young age death remarried following henry death hoped claim english throne instead cousin stephen crowned king recognised duke normandy resulting civil war rival supporters took advantage confusion attack played direct role english conflict leaving half brother robert gloucester war termed anarchy victorian historians dragged degenerated stalemate henry probably spent earliest years mother household accompanied late henry later childhood probably age seven spent educated noted day late decided send year old bristol centre opposition stephen south west england accompanied having children educated relatives households common period sending political benefits coming criticism refusing join war england year henry lived alongside roger worcester robert sons instructed master matthew robert household known education learning bristol helped henry education remembered affection later years henry returned resuming education famous academic henry returned england fourteen taking immediate household small number mercenaries left normandy landed england striking wiltshire despite initially causing considerable panic expedition little success henry found unable pay forces unable return normandy mother uncle prepared support implying approved expedition place surprisingly henry instead turned king stephen paid outstanding wages allowed henry retire stephen reasons unclear potential explanation general courtesy member extended family starting consider end war peacefully saw way building relationship henry henry intervened commencing termed phase civil war time henry planned form northern alliance king david scotland henry great uncle chester powerful regional leader controlled north west england alliance henry agreed attack york probably help scots planned attack stephen marched rapidly north york henry returned normandy appearance personality henry said good looking red haired large head short body bow legged riding dressed reserved mother charming father henry famous energy drive infamous piercing bullying bursts temper occasion refusal speak theatrical effect henry said understood wide range languages including english spoke latin french youth henry enjoyed warfare hunting adventurous pursuits years went increasing energy judicial administrative affairs cautious life energetic frequently henry passionate desire rebuild control territories grandfather henry governed influenced mother regard strong sense ancestral rights privileges henry took territories regained estates established influence smaller lords provided historian describes protective ring core territories probably king england use design ring leopard lion engraved design altered later generations form royal seal england early reign succession normandy late active phase civil war barring occasional outbreak fighting barons making individual peace agreements secure war gains increasingly appeared considering promoting peace treaty return second crusade concerned growth power potential threat possessions especially henry acquire english crown louis responded putting forward son rightful heir launching military campaign remove henry province henry father advised come terms louis peace august settlement henry homage accepting louis feudal lord gave disputed lands norman return louis recognised duke died september henry postponed plans return england needed ensure succession particularly secure time henry probably secretly planning marriage eleanor wife louis eleanor land south france considered beautiful lively controversial borne louis sons louis marriage henry married eleanor weeks later marriage instantly henry tensions louis marriage considered insult ran counter feudal practice threatened inheritance daughters claims eleanor death new lands henry possessed larger proportion france louis louis organised coalition henry including stephen champagne louis alliance joined henry younger brother rose revolt claiming henry inheritance plans inheritance lands ambiguous making son claims hard assess contemporaneous accounts suggest left main castles implying intended henry retain normandy fighting immediately broke normandy borders henry champagne robert captured town sur louis forces moved attack stephen responded placing castle key fortress loyal henry siege possibly attempt force successful end english conflict henry fighting territories france henry moved quickly response avoiding open battle norman border striking south capturing main castles louis fell ill withdrew campaign forced come terms henry taking english throne response stephen siege henry returned england start winter storms bringing small army mercenaries probably paid borrowed money henry supported north east england forces chester hopes military victory delegation senior english clergy met henry advisers shortly easter april details discussions unclear appears emphasised supported stephen king sought negotiated peace henry reaffirmed avoid english expect bishops attend court attempt draw stephen forces away henry besieged stephen castle king responded marching west army relieve henry successfully evaded stephen larger army river preventing stephen forcing decisive battle face increasingly weather men agreed temporary truce leaving henry travel north powerful earl leicester announced support cause henry free turn forces south despite modest military successes allies controlled south west north england henry attempting act legitimate king witnessing marriages settlements holding court fashion summer stephen troops renew siege castle final attempt stronghold fall appeared imminent henry marched south relieve siege arriving small army placing stephen besieging forces siege news stephen returned large army sides confronted river_thames july point war barons sides eager avoid open battle members clergy truce annoyance henry stephen henry stephen took opportunity speak privately potential end war henry stephen son fell ill died shortly removed obvious throne stephen son william second son appeared making plausible claim throne fighting continued half hearted fashion attempted broker permanent peace sides november leaders ratified terms permanent peace stephen announced treaty winchester winchester cathedral recognised henry adopted son successor return henry homage stephen promised listen henry advice retained royal powers stephen remaining son william homage henry renounce claim throne exchange promises security lands key royal castles held henry behalf whilst stephen access henry castles numerous foreign mercenaries sent home henry stephen sealed treaty kiss peace cathedral peace remained stephen second son william remained possible future rival henry rumours plot kill henry circulating possibly consequence henry decided return normandy period stephen fell ill stomach disorder died october allowing henry inherit throne sooner expected reconstruction royal government landing england december henry quickly took loyalty barons crowned alongside eleanor westminster december royal court gathered april barons swore king sons potential rivals existed including stephen son william henry brothers william fortunately henry died years leaving henry position remarkably secure nonetheless henry inherited difficult situation england kingdom suffered extensively civil war parts country fighting caused devastation areas remained largely unaffected numerous castles built bases local lords royal forest law collapsed large parts country king income declined seriously royal control remained limited henry presented legitimate heir henry commenced rebuilding kingdom image stephen tried continue henry method government reign younger henry new government characterised nineteen years chaotic troubled period problems resulting stephen throne henry careful unlike mother empress listen advice counsel measures immediately carried henry spent half years years reign france work distance process castles war continued efforts restore system royal justice royal finances henry invested heavily construction renovation prestigious new royal buildings king scotland local welsh rulers taken advantage long civil war england seize disputed lands henry set reversing trend pressure henry resulted young scotland returning lands north england taken war henry promptly began northern frontier restoring anglo norman supremacy wales proved harder henry fight campaigns north south wales welsh princes submitted rule agreeing pre civil war borders france brittany henry problematic relationship france men clashed henry succession normandy eleanor relationship repaired louis invariably attempted moral high ground respect henry reputation circulating rumours rival behaviour character henry greater resources louis particularly taking england louis far dynamic resisting power earlier reign disputes drew powers region including count flanders signed military alliance henry albeit clause prevented count forced fight louis feudal lord south count enemy louis early ally henry resulting military tensions frequent face face meetings attempt resolve led historian situation period cold war europe 20th century return continent england henry sought secure french lands potential rebellion result henry louis agreed peace treaty henry bought louis treaty appeared tensions remained particular henry given homage louis french possessions attempt improve relations henry met louis paris agreeing henry eldest living son young henry louis daughter margaret marriage deal involved louis granting disputed territory margaret marriage ultimately henry lands claimed implied louis away place political concession short permanent peace henry louis looked plausible henry turned attention lands traditionally largely independent rest france language culture held little power controlled local lords died civil war broke henry claimed overlord brittany basis owed loyalty henry saw controlling way securing french territories potential inheritance sons initially henry strategy rule indirectly accordingly henry supported claims partly conan strong english ties easily influenced conan uncle continued control county east deposed henry brother possibly henry support died conan attempted reclaim opposed henry annexed louis took action intervene henry steadily increased power brittany henry hoped similar approach regaining control southern france technically increasingly independent ruled weak claim lands encouraged eleanor henry allied enemy barcelona threatened invade louis married sister attempt secure southern nonetheless henry louis discussed matter henry left believing french king support military intervention henry invaded find louis visiting city henry prepared directly attack louis feudal lord withdrew settling surrounding county seizing castles taking province episode proved long running point dispute kings chronicler william called ensuing conflict years war aftermath episode louis attempt repair relations henry peace treaty promised henry lands rights grandfather henry reaffirmed young henry margaret deal involved giving homage louis way reinforcing young boy position heir louis position king immediately peace conference louis shifted position considerably louis wife died sister champagne louis daughters marie sons henry represented aggressive strategy henry agreed caused abandon alliance henry henry reacted angrily king custody margaret november bullied papal marrying despite children years old respectively promptly seized louis turn furious clearly broke spirit treaty military tensions leaders immediately increased forces border henry responded attacking surprise attack successfully took castle notable siege start war likely spread region fresh peace negotiated autumn followed second peace treaty overseen despite temporary halt hostilities henry seizure proved second long running dispute kings france government family household empire nature government henry controlled france ruler lands combined possessions england wales scotland ireland produced vast domain referred historians empire empire lacked coherent structure central control instead consisted loose flexible network family connections lands different local customs applied henry different territories common principles local variations henry travelled constantly empire producing historian describes government roads travels coincided regional governmental reforms local administrative business connected possession went absence lands ruled beneath local officials regions carried business government nonetheless functions government centred henry surrounded requesting decisions time time henry royal court great council major decisions term loosely applied large number barons bishops attended king great council supposed advise king royal decisions unclear freedom actually enjoyed oppose henry intentions henry appears consulted court making legislation extent took views account unclear powerful ruler henry able provide valuable patronage impose devastating harm subjects powers patronage henry effective finding keeping competent officials including church 12th century key royal administration royal patronage church provided effective route advancement henry preferred eventually bishops henry anger ill term described ability punish financially destroy particular barons clergy england henry initially relied father advisers brought normandy henry remaining officials reinforced stephen senior nobility peace henry reign henry like grandfather increasingly promoted new men minor nobles independent wealth lands positions authority england new class royal administrators predominant england supported illegitimate members henry family normandy links halves anglo norman nobility weakened half 12th century continued henry henry drew close advisers ranks norman bishops england recruited new men norman administrators larger landowners normandy benefited king patronage henry frequently intervened norman nobility arranged marriages treatment authority duke influence king england lands henry rule harsh rest france local administration developed governed combination officials called based western henry officials region authority remained limited despite increasing significantly henry reign largely richard efforts late court family henry wealth allowed maintain probably largest royal court europe court attracted huge attention contemporary typically comprised number major nobles bishops knights domestic servants prostitutes horses hunting dogs court officials friends king informal inner circle trusted servants henry particularly important operation household government driving government initiatives filling gaps official structures king henry tried maintain sophisticated household combined hunting drinking cosmopolitan literary discussion values nonetheless henry passion hunting court famous henry number preferred royal hunting apartments lands invested heavily royal castles practical utility fortresses symbols royal power prestige court relatively formal style language possibly henry attempting compensate sudden rise power relatively humble origins son count opposed holding tournaments probably security risk gatherings armed knights posed peacetime empire court historian describes family firm mother played important role early life exercised influence years later henry relationship wife eleanor complex henry trusted eleanor manage england years later content govern eleanor believed influence henry marriage ultimately relationship historians speculated ultimately caused eleanor abandon henry support older sons great revolt probable explanations include henry persistent interference recognition harsh temper henry long term including henry legitimate children eleanor sons william young henry richard john daughters eleanor joan henry illegitimate children prominent later william later earl salisbury henry expected provide future legitimate children granting lands sons marrying daughters henry family divided rivalries violent hostilities royal families day particular relatively cohesive french suggestions forward explain henry family bitter disputes inherited family failure henry eleanor theories focus personalities henry children historians argued henry sensible attempts manage tensions family king died younger succession proven law henry reign saw significant legal changes particularly england normandy middle 12th century england different ecclesiastical civil law courts overlapping jurisdictions resulting interaction diverse legal traditions henry greatly expanded role royal justice england producing coherent legal system summarised end reign treatise early legal handbook despite reforms uncertain henry grand vision new legal system reforms proceeded steady pragmatic fashion cases probably personally responsible creating new processes greatly interested law seeing delivery justice key tasks king carefully appointing good administrators conduct reforms aftermath disorders stephen reign england legal cases concerning land resolved religious houses lost land conflict cases owners heirs property local barons cases sold given new owners henry relied traditional local courts courts courts particular courts deal cases hearing personally process far perfect cases unable pursue cases effectively interested law years reign henry preoccupied political issues finding king hearing mean travelling channel locating court nonetheless henry prepared action improve existing procedures intervening cases felt creating legislation improve ecclesiastical civil court processes neighbouring delivered justice courts run officials occasionally cases way king operated court heard cases relating royal revenues maintained number king justices travelled henry spent time normandy conducting reforms royal church courts measures later introduced england recorded existing normandy early henry returned england intent reforming role royal courts cracked crime seizing belongings thieves travelling justices dispatched north henry court westminster previously heard cases connected royal revenues began wider civil cases behalf king reforms continued henry created general probably involved group royal justices visit counties england given period time authority cover civil criminal cases local occasionally previous reigns henry wider use introduced petty establish answers particular pre established questions grand determine guilt defendant methods trial continued including trial combat trial ordeal royal justice extended new areas use new forms particular novel ancestor dealt land inheritance rights rights respectively making reforms henry challenged traditional rights barons justice reinforced key feudal principles time greatly increased royal power england relations church henry relationship church varied considerably lands time aspects rule attempt form common ecclesiastical policy henry policy generally push papal influence increasing local authority 12th century saw reforming movement church advocating greater autonomy royal authority clergy influence trend caused tensions england example king stephen forced archbishop canterbury exile long running concerns legal treatment members clergy contrast tensions england occasional disagreements church generally enjoyed good relations norman bishops brittany henry support local church hierarchy rarely intervened clerical matters occasionally order cause difficulties rival south power local church north henry efforts extend influence local appointments created tensions disputed papal election henry like louis supported rival henry especially pious king medieval standards england provided steady patronage monastic houses established new monasteries relatively conservative determining support favouring established links family regard henry religious tastes appear influenced mother ascension number religious charters issued joint names henry found number religious hospitals england france death henry built endowed monasteries france primarily improve popular image travel sea period dangerous confession setting sail use determine best time travel henry movements planned advantage saints days occasions economy finance henry restored old financial institutions grandfather henry undertook long lasting reforms way english currency managed result long term increase supply money economy leading growth trade inflation medieval rulers henry enjoyed sources income 12th century income came private estates called income came imposing legal fines arbitrary taxes time raised intermittently kings raise funds borrowing henry far earlier english rulers initially turning later reign jewish flemish ready cash increasingly important rulers 12th century enable use mercenary forces construction stone castles vital successful military campaigns henry inherited difficult situation england henry established system royal finances depended key institutions central royal treasury london supported key castles accounted payments team royal officials called chamber followed king travels spending money necessary collecting revenues way long civil war caused considerable disruption system figures suggest royal income fell new coin called silver penny issued attempt english currency war known financial affairs managed henry continental possessions similar system operated normandy comparable system probably operated taking power henry gave high priority restoration royal finances england reviving henry financial processes attempting improve quality royal accounting revenue formed bulk henry income england taxes heavily years reign aided capable henry reformed currency putting english coins time heavily reducing number licensed produce coins measures successful improving income return england henry took steps new taxes introduced existing accounts reforms legal system brought new streams money fines wholesale reform occurred royal officials taking direct control passing profits directly treasury new penny called introduced number reduced substantially country driven reforms royal revenues increased significantly reign henry average income average economic effect changes substantial increase money circulation england significant long term increase inflation trade later reign developments france long running tensions henry continued french king slowly vigorous opposing henry increasing power europe louis strengthened alliances central france count champagne duke years later new count flanders philip concerned henry growing power openly allied french king louis wife gave birth male heir louis confident position years previously result relations henry louis deteriorated henry begun alter policy indirect rule brittany started exert direct control henry intervened seize lands border brittany normandy invaded brittany punish local barons henry forced conan duke brittany daughter handed henry son arrangement unusual terms medieval law conan sons legitimately inherited france henry attempted seize anger french king south henry continued apply pressure campaigned personally sent archbishop encouraged attacks divorced louis sister attempted ally henry instead growing tensions henry louis finally open war triggered trivial argument money destined states levant collected louis allied welsh scots french king attacked normandy henry responded attacking sur louis kept main military arsenal burning town ground forcing louis abandon allies private truce henry free rebel barons brittany feelings seizure running high decade progressed henry increasingly wanted resolve question inheritance decided divide empire death receiving england normandy richard given acquiring brittany require consent louis king france accordingly henry louis held fresh peace talks talks wide ranging culminating henry sons giving homage louis future france richard louis daughter alice agreements followed acts homage potentially confirmed louis position king legitimacy rebellious barons henry territories potential alliance louis practice louis perceived gained temporary advantage immediately conference began encourage tensions henry sons henry position south france continued improve agreed alliance henry son john daughter henry daughter eleanor married enlisting additional ally south february finally gave publicly gave homage henry heirs controversy major international events surrounding henry controversy archbishop_of_canterbury died henry saw opportunity rights church england english chancellor archbishop probably believing addition old friend politically weakened church role chancellor rely henry support eleanor appear doubts appointment henry continued regardless plan desired result promptly changed lifestyle abandoned links king portrayed staunch protector church rights henry quickly disagreed number issues including attempts regain control lands belonging views henry taxation policies main source conflict concerned treatment clergy committed secular crimes henry argued legal custom england allowed king enforce justice maintained church courts try cases matter came head january henry forced agreement tremendous pressure temporarily agreed changed position shortly legal argument complex time remains contentious argument henry increasingly personal international nature henry bore vain ambitious overly political man willing sought support international leaders arguing positions forums europe situation worsened fled france seek sanctuary henry enemy henry harassed associates england religious secular officials sided king pope supported case principle needed henry support dealing frederick holy roman emperor repeatedly sought negotiated solution norman church intervened try assist henry finding solution henry decided crown son king england required archbishop_of_canterbury traditionally right conduct ceremony furthermore matter increasing international embarrassment henry began tone failed crowned pope authorized lay england forcing henry negotiations finally came terms july returned england early december dispute resolved supporters henry king furious announced miserable promoted household let lord treated contempt low born clerk response knights way secretly canterbury apparently intent confronting necessary arresting breaking agreement henry archbishop refused arrested relatively low born knights death december event particularly altar horrified popular alive death declared martyr local monks louis seized case despite efforts norman church prevent french church taking action new announced henry possessions henry focused dealing ireland took action arrest killers arguing unable international pressure henry grew negotiated settlement king swore crusade effectively coming years henry actually went crusade exploited growing cult ends invasion ireland century ireland ruled number local kings authority limited counterparts rest western europe mainstream europeans regarded irish relatively backward king mac deposed high king ireland turned henry assistance english king agreed allow recruit mercenaries empire force flemish mercenaries drawn including new supporters reclaimed died shortly claimed situation ireland tense anglo heavily outnumbered henry took opportunity intervene personally ireland took large army south wales forcing rebels held area submission prior sailing landing ireland october irish lords appealed henry protect anglo norman invaders offered submit henry allowed retain new possessions henry timing influenced factors including encouragement saw opportunity establish papal authority irish church critical factor appears henry concern nobles acquire independent territories ireland reach authority henry intervention successful irish anglo south east ireland accepted rule henry undertook wave castle building visit protect new territories anglo superior military technologies irish castles gave significant advantage henry hoped longer term political solution similar approach wales scotland agreed treaty windsor recognised high king ireland giving homage henry maintaining stability ground behalf policy proved unsuccessful connor unable exert sufficient influence force areas henry instead intervened directly establishing system local conference held oxford henry faced great revolt uprising eldest sons rebellious barons supported france scotland flanders number grievances revolt young henry unhappy despite title king practice real decisions kept short money henry young henry attached tutor held father responsible death faced similar difficulties died unmarried leaving lands richard encouraged join revolt eleanor relationship henry previously described local barons unhappy henry rule saw opportunities recover traditional powers influence sons final straw henry decision youngest son john major castles belonging protested fled paris followed brothers richard eleanor attempted join captured henry forces november louis supported young henry war imminent young henry wrote pope complaining father behaviour began acquire allies including king william scotland flanders promised lands young henry won major revolts broke england brittany maine normandy border barons rose majority remained openly loyal appears wider discontent proved relatively secure despite size scope crisis henry advantages including control large number powerful royal castles strategic areas control english ports war continuing popularity towns empire louis young king defences main route norman capital armies invaded flanders attempting movement rebels brittany invaded west henry secretly travelled england order offensive rebels return counter attacked louis army pushing border army dispatched drive brittany rebels henry pursued surprised captured henry offered negotiate sons discussions soon broke fighting england proved evenly balanced royal army defeated superior force rebel flemish reinforcements september battle near henry took advantage respite crush rebel strongholds securing strategically important route empire january forces young henry louis attacked threatening push central normandy attack failed fighting winter weather set early henry enemies appeared tried lure england allowing attack normandy absence plan william scotland attacked south england supported northern english rebels additional scottish forces sent rebel barons making good progress henry refused bait instead focused crushing opposition south west france william campaign began scots failed key northern royal castles efforts henry illegitimate son effort plan philip count flanders announced intention invade england sent advance force prospective flemish invasion forced henry return england early july louis philip push overland eastern normandy reached henry travelled tomb canterbury announced rebellion divine punishment took appropriate major difference restoring royal authority critical moment conflict word reached henry king william defeated captured local forces crushing rebel cause north remaining english rebel strongholds collapsed august henry returned normandy louis able henry forces fell french army final french assault city began pushed france louis requested peace talks bringing end conflict final years aftermath great revolt aftermath great revolt henry held negotiations offering peace basis pre war status quo henry young henry swore revenge followers young henry agreed transfer disputed castles john exchange elder henry agreed younger henry castles normandy pounds richard granted half revenues respectively eleanor kept effective house arrest rebel barons kept imprisoned short time cases fined restored lands rebel castles england destroyed henry generous william scotland released agreed treaty december publicly gave homage henry surrendered key scottish castles henry men philip flanders declared neutrality henry return king agreed provide regular financial support henry appeared contemporaries stronger courted ally european leaders asked international disputes spain germany nonetheless busy resolving weaknesses believed exacerbated revolt henry set extending royal justice england authority spent time normandy support barons king use growing cult increase prestige power saint explain victory especially success capturing william peace deal long running tensions henry louis resurfaced late kings began compete control prosperous region value kings henry rights western announced extraordinary claim agreed richard fiancée alice province marriage settlement louis accepted implied henry away place given henry right occupy richard behalf additional pressure armies war intervened probably henry planned kings encouraged sign non aggression treaty september promised undertake joint crusade ownership parts arbitration panel reported favour henry henry followed success purchasing local count expansion henry empire threatened french security promptly new peace risk family tensions late henry focused trying create stable system government increasingly ruling family tensions succession arrangements far away ultimately leading fresh revolt having left rebels great revolt richard recognised henry duke finally married duke brittany brittany accepted rule able deal remaining disturbances john spent great revolt travelling alongside father observers began regard prince henry favourite child henry began grant john lands nobles expense lord ireland young henry spent end decade travelling europe taking tournaments playing passing role government henry richard military campaigns increasingly dissatisfied position lack power young henry reiterated previous demands wanted granted lands example allow support household dignity henry refused agreed increase son trouble clearly henry attempted situation insisting richard homage young henry lands richard believe claim refused homage henry forced richard homage angrily refused accept young henry formed alliance barons unhappy richard rule sided raising mercenary army brittany threaten open war broke henry richard led joint campaign conclude caught fever died bringing sudden end rebellion eldest son dead henry rearranged plans succession richard king england albeit actual power death father retain brittany held marriage henry favourite son john duke place richard richard refused deeply attached desire exchange role meaningless junior king england henry furious ordered john march south retake force short war ended stalemate tense family reconciliation westminster england end henry finally got way early bringing eleanor normandy richard obey father simultaneously threatening normandy possibly england proved richard finally handed castles henry john undertook expedition ireland success ireland recently conquered forces tensions henry representatives new settlers existing inhabitants john offended local irish rulers failed allies anglo norman settlers began lose ground militarily irish finally returned england year henry return john ireland news came died tournament paris leaving young children event changed balance power henry remaining sons henry henry relationship surviving heirs king great affection youngest son john showed little warmth richard borne argument tensions henry richard exploited new french king philip come power rapidly demonstrated calculating manipulative political leader initially henry enjoyed good relationship despite attempts divide henry agreed joint alliance cost french king support flanders champagne regarded close friend welcomed successor henry death relationship henry philip broke demanded given custody children brittany insisted henry order richard withdraw sent army apply new pressure philip uncle philip threatened invade normandy happen reopened question formed margaret years henry occupied region philip insisted king complete long agreed marriage return margaret philip invaded henry large army confronted french papal intervention brought truce negotiations philip suggested richard ally french king henry marking start new strategy divide father son philip offer coincided crisis levant jerusalem surrendered calls new crusade swept europe richard enthusiastic announced intention join crusade henry announced similar intent start taxes began raised plans supplies transport richard keen start crusade forced wait henry arrangements meantime richard set crushing enemies attacking count richard campaign undermined truce henry philip sides large forces anticipation war time henry rejected philip offers short term truce hope convincing french king agree long term peace deal philip refused consider henry proposals furious richard believed henry time delaying departure crusade death relationship henry richard finally dissolved violence shortly henry death philip held peace conference november making public offer generous long term peace settlement henry conceding territorial demands henry finally marry richard alice announce richard recognised heir henry refused proposal richard spoke demanding recognised henry successor henry remained silent richard publicly changed sides conference gave formal homage philip assembled nobles intervened try produce minute peace deal resulting fresh conference bernard henry suffering bleeding ultimately prove fatal discussions achieved little henry alleged offered philip john richard marry alice reflecting rumours circulating summer henry considering openly richard conference broke war appearing likely philip richard launched surprise attack immediately conventionally period truce henry caught surprise forced march north escape safety normandy suddenly henry turned south advice officials weather extremely hot king increasingly ill appears wanted die peacefully fight campaign henry evaded enemy forces way south collapsed castle philip richard making good progress obvious henry dying richard king pair offered negotiations met henry able remain seated horse agreed complete surrender homage philip alice guardian marry richard end coming crusade recognise richard heir pay philip compensation key castles given philip guarantee henry carried litter informed john publicly sided richard conflict proved final shock finally collapsed fever coming moments gave confession henry died july aged king wished interred abbey hot weather transporting body impractical instead buried nearby legacy immediate aftermath henry death richard successfully claimed father lands later left crusade married alice agreed eleanor released house arrest regained control ruled richard behalf henry empire survive long collapsed reign youngest son john philip captured possessions france collapse causes including long term changes economic power growing cultural differences england normandy particular fragile nature henry empire henry popular king expressed grief news death writing william commented time hated widely criticised contemporaries court changes henry introduced long rule major long term consequences legal changes generally considered laid basis english common law court forerunner later common bench westminster henry justices influenced contemporaries legal reforms philip creation example clearly drew model henry intervention brittany wales scotland significant long term impact development societies governmental systems historiography henry reign attracted historians years 18th century historian argued henry reign pivotal creating genuinely english monarchy ultimately unified britain henry role controversy considered relatively protestant historians period disputes french king louis attracted positive patriotic comment victorian period fresh interest personal morality historical figures scholars began express greater concern aspects henry behaviour including role parent husband king role death attracted particular criticism late victorian historians increasing access documentary records period stressed henry contribution evolution key english institutions including development law analysis led label henry legislator king responsible major long lasting reforms england influenced contemporary growth british_empire historians undertook detailed research henry continental possessions creating term empire 1880s twentieth century historians challenged conclusions 1950s examined nature henry empire french scholars particular analysed mechanics royal power functioned period aspects histories henry challenged 1980s onwards efforts bring british french historical analysis period detailed study written records left henry cast doubt earlier interpretations ground breaking work tracing henry pipe rolls example criticised certain way determining location court attendance henry royal charters identified task interpreting records financial information pipe rolls wider economic data reign understood challenging thought significant gaps historical analysis henry remain especially nature rule south france popular culture henry_ii appears character modern plays films central character play lion winter set presenting imaginary encounter henry immediate family christmas film adaptation modern popular view henry somewhat fiery determined king acknowledges henry character essentially fictional lion winter proved enduring representation henry turned winning film remade television henry appears play filmed character king deliberately fictitious driven need drama henry play controversy forms basis play murder cathedral tensions henry form basis discussion superficial events death deeper religious interpretation episode ancestry
Henry II of England