| Notes |
- Henry II reigned from 25 Oct. 1154 through 1189. He was called "Curt Mantel". (C-437, p. 590) He had keen gray eyes, a freckled face, short red hair, a short broad frame and boundless energy. His empire included much of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France, all of which he supervised directly. He traveled so often and so fast, the French king is quoted as saying "Now in Ireland, now in England, now in Normandy, he must fly rather than go by horse or ship." He had three significant women in his life, Eleanor of Acquitaine; Amabilia de Bailleol and Alice de Porhoet. Of these only Eleanor is usually listed as a spouse. History has stated that he along with his grandfather and sons had multiple mistresses. (C-502)
Thomas Becket was killed in his reign. Some of Ireland was under British rule and three of his sons started a civil war to uproot their father. (C-2251g)
His will is as follows: "Henry, by the grace of God, King of England, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Count of Anjou, to King Henry, to Richard, Geoffrey, and John, my sons, to Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Archdeacons, Deans, Earls, Barons, Justices, Sheriffs, and all other my faithful subjects, as well clerks and laymen of my territories, within and beyond the seas, greeting. Know ye, that at Waltham, in the presence of R. Bishop of Winchester; J. Bishop of Norwich; G. Chancellor, my son; Master Walter de Constantiis, Archdeacon of Oxford; Godfrey de Lucy, Archdeacon of Derby; Ralph de Glanville; Hugh de Morewic; Ralph fitz Stephen, Chamberlain; and William Rufo; I have made division of some part of my money in this manner:... To the religious houses of England MMMMM marks of silver, to be distributed by the hands of R Archbishop of Canterbury; R Bishop of Winchester; G. Bishop of Ely; and J. Bishop of Norwich; and Ralph de Glanville, Justiciar of England. To the religious houses of the land of the Earl of Anjou, my father, M marks of silver; towards the marriage of poor and free women of Normandy wanting aid C marks of gold, to be distributed by the Archbishop of Rouen, and the Bishops of Bayeaux, Avaranches, Sagiensis. Toward the marriage of poor and free women of the land of my father, the Earl of Anjou, C marks of gold, to be distributed by the Bishops of Main and Anjou. This distribution I have made at the place before written, in the year of the Incarnation 1182. And I charge you, my sons, by the fealty you owe me, and the oath ye have sworn to me, that ye cause it to be firmly and inviolably kept; and whoever shall oppose or contravene it, may he incur the indignation and anger of Almighty God, and mine and God's malediction. And I command you, the Archbishops and Bishops, by the oath ye have sworn to me, and the fealty ye owe to me and to God, that ye solemnly, in your Synods, with lighted candles, excommunicate, and cause to be excommunicated, all such as may presume to infringe my distribution. And know ye that our Lord the Pope has confirmed this my distribution, under his hand and seal, on pain of anathema."
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1133 - 1189 (56 years)
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