Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine

Henry II is born

Mar 5, 1133

Life of Henry II

Period: Mar 5, 1133 to Jul 6, 1189

Stephen as King

Jan 12, 1135

Stephen takes the thrown when Henry I dies, even though his cousin Matilda (Henry II's mother) was the heiress.

Henry as a child

Jan 12, 1147

At the age of 14, without his parents consent, Henry hired a group of mercenaries and sailed to England. Once he got to England he was unable to take the two castles he was after and had to find refuge with his mother. Without the funds for Henry to pay off the mercenaries or sail home he asked King Stephen for money. Stephen paid him the money and sent him on his way.

Power

Sep 7, 1151

Henry became Duke of Normandy and Anjou.

Henry is married

May 18, 1152

At the age of 19, Henry marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Henry saw their wedding as an advancement in society. Because of Eleanor Henry became much more powerful and much wealthier.

First son William is born.

Aug 17, 1153

Died at age 2 from seizures.

Treaty of Westminster

Dec 12, 1153

A treaty recognized Stephen to be King until his death and for Henry II to be his sucessor.

Became King!

Oct 26, 1154

When Stephen died Henry became King. He also met Thomas Beckett who becomes a crucial part of Henry's life later on.

Beckett becomes Chancellor

Jan 12, 1155

Appointed by Henry II with hopes he could get Beckett on his side.

Henry is born

Feb 28, 1155

Known as young King Henry. He was the first to survive infancy and was officially King of England along with being Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou and Maine. Henry II made young Henry King at age 15 and he reigned for 13 years.

Matlida

Jan 13, 1156

Married Henry the Lion and became Duchess of Saxony and later Bavaria.

Richard

Sep 8, 1157

Richard known as Richard the Lionhart for his great military leader and warrior. At the age of 16 he was commanding his own army. Eventually became King in 1189, after his father's death, for 10 years.

Geoffrey II

Sep 23, 1158

Geoffrey only served as Duke of Brittany for five years and was never King.

Beckett becomes Archbisop

Jan 12, 1162

Henry thought it would be a good idea for Beckett to be Archbishop because he saw it as another advance in society. He thought he would be able to take control over the church. Unfortunately for Henry, Beckett took this newly appointed role very seriously and when Henry wanted changes made Beckett did not give in.

Eleanor

Oct 13, 1162

Elearnor was Queen of Castile and Toledo as the wife of Alfonso VIII of Castile.

Met Rosamond

Jan 12, 1163

When Rosamond was only 13 years he met her most likely whenhe passed Clifford Castle during one of his campaigns in Wales.

Conflict among friends

Jan 30, 1164

Constituion of Clarendon was a document stating Henry II's power over the church. Beckett and the bishops denied the King the power defined in the Constitution creating conflict between Beckett and the King. By the end of 1164 Henry had Beckett exiled because of the extreme conflict.

Joan

Oct 13, 1165

Married King William II of Sicily

The affair begins

Jan 12, 1166

It is believed that while Eleanor was pregnant with Henry's final son he believed his famous affair with 16 year old Rosamond Clifford. It has been noted that Rosamond was Eleanor's opposite and that Henry and Rosamond shared a deep love.

John

Dec 24, 1166

Served as King for 17 years and was the only child to outlive Eleanor.

"Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?"

Dec 29, 1170

Henry II said this out of anger, unfortunately for Beckett, it was taken literally and four of Henry's knights murdered Beckett in his own cathedral.

Henry and Eleanor split

Jan 13, 1171

Because of Henry's infidelity Eleanor leaves Henry and returned to Poiier where she focused her life on poetry.

Eleanor is imprisoned

Jan 12, 1173

Eleanor and her sons together revolted against the King. They were not, however, successful and Eleanor was on house arrest for the next 15 years.

Revolt against the King

Jan 12, 1173

Eleanor returns to London to assist her son Richard in their revolt against Henry II. The revolt was unsucessfuland Henry places Eleanor in confinement for her involvement.

Henry divides up his land

Jan 12, 1176

Henry decided that upon his death he wanted his lands to be divided umong his sons. Henry, the young king, would rule England, Normandy and Anjou. Richard would rule Aquitaine, Geoffrey would rule Brittany, and John would rule Ireland.

Rosamon Dies

Jul 6, 1176

Trial by Jury

Jan 12, 1179

Henry II ruled that in cases concerning property rights a defendant could opt for trial by jury rather than by battle. This civilizing of society is a crucial part in Henry's ruling.

Henry Dies

Jul 6, 1189

When Henry dies, Richard suceeds his father. Richard immediately releases his mother from confinement. Eleanor acts as regent while her sons fights in the Third Crusade.