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Henry II (1133-89) King of England (1154-89), Duke of Normandy (1150-89), Count of Anjou (1151-89), Duke of Aquitaine (1152-89):

Son of Geoffrey, Count of Anjou and Matilda the Empress, daughter and acknowledged heir of Henry I. By marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine he became one of the most powerful rulers in Western Europe and founded the Angevin Empire when he became king of England in 1154. He immediately restored law and order and secured royal prerogatives, which brought him into conflict with the Church, namely with Thomas Becket, Abp. of Canterbury. The conflict was ended only with Becket's murder in 1170. In 1171 Henry annexed Ireland, but his power was permanently challenged by rebellions of his sons and his queen. The couple had eight children, two sons became kings, Richard I and John, and the daughters were married to powerful Continental rulers.