The Angevins
Learning Intentions You will be able to: Describe how Henry II came to the throne. Describe the lands of the Angevin Empire (including how they were gained).
In the last section, you learned about how the Normans led by Duke William conquered and controlled England. When William the Conqueror died, the crown passed to his son, William Rufus, who then passed the crown to his brother Henry upon his death.
Before his death, Henry I made his barons swear to support his daughter, Matilda, as Queen. However, after his death the barons abandoned her (probably because she was a woman). The crown was seized by her cousin, Stephen, who became King of England.
However, Matilda would not give in she fought Stephen fiercely in what developed into a bitter civil war. As she grew older, her son, Henry, took over the fight. The civil war lasted for 19 years, during which time England fell into disorder. Finally, Stephen agreed to recognise Henry as his successor.
In 1154, Stephen died. Henry II now became King of England. He was the first king of the Angevin (also known as Plantagenet) family which would rule England for over 300 years. In this section, you will learn about his reign one of the most eventful in British history!
Do you remember the king in the car park on the news? This was Richard III, the last Plantagenet king.
The Empire of Henry II
What you need to know For the exam / assessment you should know: The lands controlled or owned by Henry II. How he came to be in control of these lands.
The Angevin Empire of Henry II stretched from the border with Scotland to the Pyrenees mountains in southern France. Henry II controlled more land in France than the French King himself! Henry gained these lands in a variety of ways.
When Henry was just 16 he was given the title Duke of Normandy. Normandy had traditionally belonged to the English monarch since William, Duke of Normandy, had conquered England. Henry I had passed it onto his daughter, Matilda, who then passed it onto her son, Henry (Stephen did not manage to take it).
Henry II then inherited the lands of Maine and Anjou, which belonged to his father, Geoffrey Plantagenet. It is from Anjou that the name Angevin comes from. It is said Geoffrey was nicknamed Plantagenet because he liked to wear a sprig of yellow broom blossom (the planta genista in Latin) in his hat.
Henry II then acquired the vast lands of Aquitaine and Gascony after his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. In medieval times a woman s possessions passed to her husband after their marriage. This was called a dowry. This was to make her more desirable to suitors, but also to protect her during the marriage if the man mistreated her he would lose the possessions if she divorced him.
When Henry married Eleanor he was just 18 and she was 28. She was newly divorced from her marriage to the King of France. She was beautiful, politically intelligent and very rich.
When Henry II inherited his mother s claim to the throne and became King he gained the land of England. Henry II also managed to negotiate the return of Cumbria and Northumbria to England which had been taken by the King of Scotland.
Henry also expanded his royal territory into Ireland. Henry made the local lords and chieftains swear an oath of allegiance to him. He was declared Lord of Ireland. The English Crown already controlled vast areas of Wales.
Finally, Henry invaded Brittany, forcing the Count to resign in favour of his five-year-old daughter, Constance. Henry then arranged for his son, Geoffrey, to be betrothed (a promise of marriage) to Constance. Brittany therefore passed into the family.
Activity Collect a blank map cut-out of Henry II s empire. Colour each land and match up with the appropriate reference in the key.
Multiple Choice Quiz
Which lands traditionally belonged to the English monarch? England and Normandy England and Brittany England and Anjou England and Gascony
Which land did Henry II inherit from his father? Normandy Brittany Anjou Gascony
Which is the odd one out? (Be ready to explain why.) Wales England Ireland Scotland
Which is the odd one out? (Be ready to explain why.) Toulouse Gascony Champagne Burgundy
Who was Henry II s mother? Eleanor Edith Constance Matilda
Which two lands were gained through marriage? Aquitaine and Brittany Aquitaine and Normandy Gascony and Wales Anjou and Aquitaine
What word means to be promised in marriage? Engaged Arranged Betrothed Affianced
Can I? Describe how Henry II came to the throne? Describe the lands of the Angevin empire (including how they were gained)?