Henry II

views updated

Henry II (1133–89) King of England (1154–89), son of Geoffrey of Anjou and Matilda (daughter of Henry I). Henry inherited the Angevin lands and obtained Aquitaine by marrying Eleanor in 1152. He re-established stable royal government in England, instituting reforms in finance, local government and justice. His efforts to extend royal justice to priests led to his quarrel with Thomas à Becket. The rebellions of his sons, Richard I and John, troubled his later reign.

More From encyclopedia.com