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Henry II of England

A Plantagenet king who built extensive Anglo-French domains and strengthened royal justice in England. His conflict with Thomas Becket and the rivalry among his sons shaped the final years of his reign.

1133 – 1189King of England · Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine · Count of AnjouPlantagenet · ES
Explore this family · Spanish AtlasBack to people
Portrait of Henry II of England
Medieval representationHenry II in the Topographia Hibernica · Royal MS 13 B VIIIAnonymous illuminator; text by Gerald of WalesBritish LibraryPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1133 Documented

Death: 1189 Documented

Role: King of England · Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine · Count of Anjou

Dynasty: Plantagenet · ES

Territories: England (ES) · Normandy (ES) · Anjou (ES) · Maine (ES) · Aquitaine (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
Duke · Normandy · Duchy Pending review1150–1189Effective ruleHis father transferred the duchy to him in 1150; Louis VII invested him in 1151.
Count · Anjou · County Pending review1151–1189Effective ruleHe inherited Anjou, including Touraine, and Maine on his father’s death in 1151.
Count · Maine · County Pending review1151–1189Effective rule
Duke · Aquitaine · Duchy Pending review1152–1189Jure uxorisThrough his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152.
King · England · Reign Pending review1154–1189Effective rule
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Children
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Henry II of England. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1154

  • NormandyDuke
    View titles and jurisdictions
    • Normandy · ESDuke · Effective rule1150–1189 · His father transferred the duchy to him in 1150; Louis VII invested him in 1151.
  • AnjouCount
    View titles and jurisdictions
    • Anjou · ESCount · Effective rule1151–1189 · He inherited Anjou, including Touraine, and Maine on his father’s death in 1151.
  • MaineCount
    View titles and jurisdictions
  • AquitaineDuke
    View titles and jurisdictions
    • Aquitaine · ESDuke · Jure uxoris1152–1189 · Through his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152.
  • EnglandKing
    View titles and jurisdictions

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

10 recorded claims · 7 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (1/3 with a precise source)
  • FatherPending review

    Geoffrey V of Anjou

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • MotherPending review

    Empress Matilda

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • Marriage or partnershipDocumented

    Eleanor of Aquitaine

    The authority record identifies Eleanor of Aquitaine (GND 118529757) as spouse.
    Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Heinrich II., England, König · Relationships: spouse → GND 118529757
    Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Governments (0/5 with a precise source)
  • GovernmentPending review

    Duke · Normandy · 1150–1189

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    Count · Anjou · 1151–1189

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    Count · Maine · 1151–1189

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    Duke · Aquitaine · 1152–1189

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    King · England · 1154–1189

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Biographical and contextual references (3)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

Keep exploring

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