fwo_759603 - ANGLETERRE - HENRY II PLANTAGENÊT Penny dit “short cross” n.d. Londres

ENGLAND - HENRY II PLANTAGENET

(1154-06/07/1189)

Henry was born in Le Mans on March 5, 1133, in the county belonging to his father Geoffrey of Anjou. Her mother, Mathilde, was the daughter of Henry I of England. Designated heiress, her cousin Etienne de Blois, Count of Boulogne, seized the throne of England. He married Eleanor of Aquitaine in Poitiers on May 18, 1152. In 1154, on the death of Stephen, he acceded to the throne of England. In 1155 he appointed Thomas Becket as chancellor. In 1170, the latter was assassinated in his cathedral in Canterbury. This was the beginning of a considerable weakening of royal authority. Supported by Eleanor and the King of France, his sons revolt, resulting in the imprisonment of Eleanor and his son, William the Lion. The King of France Philippe Auguste engaged in a new campaign against Henry II. On July 4, 1189, by the Treaty of Azay-le-Rideau, Henry II was obliged to recognize his son Richard as the sole heir. He died two days later in Chinon.