Henry II was born in 1133 and died at the age of 56, in 1189. When he was only 2 years old, his grandfather Henry I, appointed his cousin Stephen to the throne, instead of Matilda, who would be legitimately eligible for the throne. Matilda was deemed unsuitable, firstly because of her sex (in a sexist society), and secondly because she was married to a rival of the Norms, Godfrey of Anjou. Born in Anjou, to Godfrey of Anjou, (Plantagenet), the most powerful duke of central France, and Matilda (daughter of the king of England), Henry was also known as Plantagenet, since his father Geoffrey, took this nickname because he loved to show off a twig on his helmet; coining the surname Plantagenet of one of the greatest English dynasties, which ruled until the end of the medieval era. Add here more information about Henry II's parents and also his wife's parents. Henry inherited a large amount of land. On his father's side, his inheritance included the counties of Anjou and Maine; and on his mother's side he received the Duchy of Normandy and its claims to the Kingdom of England. In addition to this, after marrying the heiress Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry also had Aquitaine and Poitou under his rule. Upon the death of his cousin, King Stephen, in 1154, Henry ascended the English throne at the age of 21 under the terms of the Treaty of Wallingford, which ended the 19 years of anarchy that England experienced. Hobbies, Lifestyle and Achievements How KingHenry spent so much time in the saddle that his legs buckled. Henry's voice was said to be harsh and cracked, he didn't like fancy clothes, and he never sat still. The new king was intelligent and had acquired immense knowledge... half of the card... Coronation of Richard, she was freed and became regent of England when Richard left for the 3rd Cruzade (1189- 1192). Eleanor died in 1204. Conclusion: Henry II might have been remembered as one of the greatest rulers of his time, except for the death of his childhood friend, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of England, who was suspected of some kind of participation in the murder. After 20 years of marriage, Eleanor plotted against Henry. Henry placed her under house arrest. His sons sought to overthrow him, hungry for power. Once again the English throne was a family escape. Henry, was defeated by Richard, his son (land and power to the son), and paid homage to the French king Phillip August. He died of poisoned blood. Shame, shame on a conquered King.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZHen6A_rrwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6uXB7aaJeQ