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Biography of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 1133-1189

Paternal Family Tree: Anjou aka Plantagenet

Maternal Family Tree: Agatha

Descendants Family Tree: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 1133-1189

On 07 Jan 1114 Henry V Holy Roman Emperor (age 32) and [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 11) were married. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Henry I "Beauclerc" England (age 46) and [his grandmother] Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England (age 34).

On 17 Jun 1128 [his father] Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy (age 14) and [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 26) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Henry I "Beauclerc" England (age 60) and [his grandmother] Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England. He the son of [his grandfather] Fulk "Young" King Jerusalem (age 39) and [his grandmother] Ermengarde La Flèche De Baugency Countess Anjou.

On 05 Mar 1133 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England was born to Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy (age 19) and Empress Matilda (age 31) at Le Mans [Map]. He a grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Marriage of Prince Louis and Eleanor of Aquitaine

On 25 Jul 1137 Louis VII King Franks (age 17) and [his future wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 15) were married at the by Archbishop Geoffrey of Loroux. Her father William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine had died some three months previously leaving Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England as a ward of Louis's father King Louis VI of France (age 55) who quickly married her to his son Louis with a view to the Duchy of Aquitaine becoming joined with the Kingdom of France. A week later King Louis VI of France died and his son Louis and Eleanor became King and Queen of France. She the daughter of William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of King Louis VI of France and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were fourth cousins.

Eleanor gave Louis a rock-crystal vase as a wedding gift which he subsequently gave to Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis. The vase is no in the Louvre.

Crystal vase, 'of Eleanor'. Crystal: Iran (?), 6th-7th century (?). Mounting: Saint-Denis, before 1147; 13th and 14th centuries. Rock crystal, nielloed and gilded silver, precious stones, pearls, champlevé enamels on silver. Originating from the treasury of the Abbey of Saint-Denis. Inscription: "+ HOC VAS SPONSA DEDIT A(ie)NOR-REGI LUDOVICO MITADOL(us) AVO MIHI REX S(an)C(tis)Q(ue) SUGER(ius)" (This vase, Eleanor, his spouse, gave it to King Louis, Mitadolus to his ancestor, the king to me, Suger, who have offered it to the saints).

Vase de cristal, "d’Aliénor". Cristal: Iran (?), VI-VII siécle (?). Monture: Saint-Denis, avant 1147; XIII et XIV siécles. Cristal de roche, argent niellé et doré, pierres pécieuses, perles, émaux champlevés sur argent Provient du trésor de I'abbaye de Saint-Denis. Inscription: "+ HOC VAS SPONSA DEDIT A(ie)NOR-REGI LUDOVICO MITADOL(us) AVO MIHI REX S(an)C(tis)Q(ue) SUGER(ius)". (ce vase, Aliénor, son épouse, l'a donné au roi Lous, Mitadolus a son aïeul, le roi à moi, Suger, qui l'ai offert aux saints).

Archbishop Geoffrey of Loroux: In 1137 he was appointed Archbishop of Bordeaux. On 18 Jul 1155 he died.

William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine: William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine were married. She by marriage Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine and Philippa Rouerge Duchess Aquitaine. In 1099 he was born to William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine and Philippa Rouerge Duchess Aquitaine at Toulose. On 10 Feb 1127 William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine died. His son William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine succeeded X Duke Aquitaine. On 09 Apr 1137 William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine died. His daughter Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England succeeded XI Duchess Aquitaine.

Around 1150. The date of the first construction of Warkworth Castle, Northumberland [Map] is somewhat vague being founded by either Henry Dunkeld 3rd Earl Huntingdon 1st Earl of Northumbria (age 36) or King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 16) on a motte on a natural mound at the narrowest point of a loop of the River Coquet.

In 1150 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 16) was created Duke Normandy by Louis VII King Franks (age 30).

On 07 Sep 1151 [his father] Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy (age 38) died at Château du Loir [Map]. He was buried at St Julien's Cathedral [Map].

Around 1152 [his illegitimate son] Archbishop Geoffrey Plantagenet was born illegitimately to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 18) and Ykenai.

Louis and Eleanor's Divorce

On 21 Mar 1152 the marriage of Louis VII King Franks (age 32) and [his future wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 30) was dissolved by Hugh Toucy Archbishop of Sens at the Château de Beaugency on the grounds of consanguinity. Both Louis and Eleanor were present as were the Archbishops of Rouen and Bordeaux. Samson Mauvoison Archbishop of Reims acted on behalf of Eleanor. In dissolving the marriage Louis lost control of the Duchy of Aquitaine which was to have far reaching consequences for the next three centuries.

Marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine

On 18 May 1152 Whit Sunday King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 19) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 30) were married at Poitiers Cathedral [Map]. They were more closely related than Eleanor and her previous husband Louis VII King Franks (age 32). The marriage would bring the Kingdom of England, and the Duchies of Normandy and Aquitaine under the control of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She the daughter of William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy and Empress Matilda (age 50). They were half third cousins. He a grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Around 05 Jun 1152 [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine (age 30) visited Fontevraud Abbey [Map] where she met [his aunt] Abbess Matilda (age 41) (her husband's Henry's (age 19) aunt by marriage - Abbess Matilda had married [his uncle] William Adelin brother of his mother [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 50) who had died in the White Ship Disaster).

Henry II visits his mother in Rouen

Before Jan 1153 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 19) visited his mother [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 50) in Rouen, France [Map] to seek funds for his impending invasion of England.

Henry II sails to England

In Jan 1153 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 19) sailed from Barfleur to England, arriving the next day, with a fleet of twenty-six ships, and an army, to bring King Stephen I England (age 59) submit to Henry's authority.

Henry II Relieves Wallingford Castle

In Jul 1153 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 20) arrived at Wallingford Castle [Map] to relieve the siege that King Stephen I England (age 59) had commenced in 1152.

Treaty of Wallingford aka Winchester aka Westminster

Around Aug 1153 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 20) and King Stephen I England (age 59) agreed the Treaty of Wallingford aka Winchester aka Westminster by which King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England would inherit the throne on the death of King Stephen I England. The Treaty was ratified by Archbishop Theobald of Bec (age 63) at Westminster [Map] in Christmas 1153.

On 17 Aug 1153 [his son] William Plantagenet IX Count Poitiers was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 20) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 31) at Poitiers [Map].

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1154. When the king (age 60) died, then was the earl beyond sea; but no man durst do other than good for the great fear of him. When he came to England, then was he received with great worship, and blessed to king (age 20) in London on the Sunday before midwinter day. And there held he a full court. The same day that Martin, Abbot of Peterborough, should have gone thither, then sickened he, and died on the fourth day before the nones of January; and the monks, within the day, chose another of themselves, whose name was William de Walteville167, a good clerk, and good man, and well beloved of the king, and of all good men. And all the monks buried the abbot with high honours. And soon the newly chosen abbot, and the monks with him, went to Oxford to the king. And the king gave him the abbacy; and he proceeded soon afterwards to Peterborough; where he remained with the abbot, ere he came home. And the king was received with great worship at Peterborough, in full procession. And so he was also at Ramsey, and at Thorney, and at…. and at Spalding, and at….

Note 167. Or Vaudeville.

Henry II Holds Easter at Rouen

Around Mar 1154 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 20) returned to Rouen, France [Map] and met with his mother [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 52), and his brothers. [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 32) joined them to celebrate Easter with their first son [his son] William Plantagenet IX Count Poitiers who met his father for the first time aged around eight months.

Death of King Stephen

On 25 Oct 1154 King Stephen I England (age 60) died at Priory of St Martin, Dover [Map]. His first cousin once removed King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 21) succeeded II King of England.

On 07 Dec 1154 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 21), the seven months pregnant [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 32) and their son [his son] William Plantagenet IX Count Poitiers (age 1) left Barfleur for England. On 08 Dec 1154 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and his party landed near Southampton, Hampshire [Map].

Coronation of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine

On 19 Dec 1154 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 21) was crowned II King of England at Westminster Abbey [Map]. [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 32) was crowned Queen Consort England. Archbishop Theobald of Bec (age 64) presided.

On 28 Feb 1155 [his son] Henry the Young King was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 21) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 33) at Bermondsey [Map].

In Jul 1155 Roger Fitzmiles 2nd Earl Hereford (age 30) and King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) were in Bridgnorth, Shropshire [Map].

In Aug 1155 Roger Fitzmiles 2nd Earl Hereford (age 30) and King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) were in Salisbury.

In 1156 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) besieged Chinon Castle [Map].

On 06 Jan 1156 [his daughter] Matilda Plantagenet Duchess Saxony was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 34) at Windsor Castle [Map] (probably) and named after her paternal grandmother [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 53).

Henry II travels to Normandy

On 10 Jan 1156 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) crossed from Dover, Kent [Map] to Wissant [Map]. Richard "The Loyal" Lucy (age 67) was appointed Regent in Henry's absence. [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 34) was placed in the care of Archbishop Theobald of Bec (age 66) and Bishop John of Salisbury (age 38). Her party included her sister [his sister-in-law] Petronilla Poitiers (age 31).

Henry II pays homage to Louis VII

On 05 Feb 1156 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) paid homage to Louis VII King Franks (age 36) for his lands in Normandy [Map], Anjou and Aquitaine.

Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine Reunited

Before 29 Aug 1156 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 23) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 34) were reunited in Saumur [Map].

In Dec 1156 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 23) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 34) held Christmas in Bordeaux [Map].

In 1157 brothers King Malcolm IV of Scotland (age 15) and King William I of Scotland (age 14) paid homage to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 23) at Peverell Castle [Map].

King Malcolm IV of Scotland was deprived of his lands in Cumbria and titles by King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. Earl of Northumbria forfeit.

King Malcolm IV of Scotland was granted 5th Earl Huntingdon, 5th Earl of Northampton.

King William I of Scotland was deprived of the Earldom of Northumbria.

Around 1157 to 1164 Warkworth Castle, Northumberland [Map] was first documented in a charter of when King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 23) granted it to Roger Fitzrichard 1st Baron Warkworth. At this time the castle was constructed of wood and was left undefended when the Scots invaded in 1173.

Around 30 May 1157 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 24) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 35) spent Whitsun at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk [Map] for a ceremonial crown wearing.

On 08 Sep 1157 [his son] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 24) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 35) at Beaumont Palace, Oxfordshire [Map].

In Dec 1157 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 24) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 35) held Christmas Court at Cherbourg [Map].

In Dec 1157 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 24) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 35) held Christmas Court at Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map].

On 23 Sep 1158 [his son] Geoffrey Plantagenet 2nd Duke Brittany was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 25) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 36).

Henry II and Louis II make Peace

In Oct 1161 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 28) and Louis VII King Franks (age 41) met at Fréteval [Map] and made peace.

On 13 Oct 1161 [his daughter] Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 28) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 39) at Domfront Castle, Domfront named Eleanor after her mother Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England. She was baptised by Cardinal Henry of Pisa with Robert of Torigni as godfather.

Thomas Becket appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

On 23 May 1162 Archbishop Thomas Becket (age 42) was elected Archibishop Canterbury by King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 29).

In 1164 Theobald "Good" Blois V Count Blois (age 34) and [his step-daughter] Alix Capet Countess Blois (age 13) were married. She by marriage Countess Blois. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Louis VII King Franks (age 44) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 42). He the son of Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

In 1164 Henry Blois I Count Champagne (age 36) and [his step-daughter] Marie Capet Countess Champagne (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Champagne. She the daughter of Louis VII King Franks (age 44) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 42). He the son of Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

Constitutions of Clarendon

On 25 Jan 1164 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 30) attempted to constrain ecclesiastical privileges by the sixteen articles of the Constitutions of Clarendon. Archbishop Thomas Becket (age 44) rejected the articles.

On 30 Jan 1164 [his brother] William Plantagenet (age 27) died. He was buried at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral [Map]. His death said to have been of a broken heart since he was unable to marry Isabella Warenne Countess Boulogne 4th Countess of Surrey (age 27) as a result of Archbishop Thomas Becket (age 44) refusing to grant the necessary dispensation. His death may have been the start of the rift between his elder brother King Henry II (age 30) and Becket.

Trial of Thomas a Becket

In Oct 1164 Archbishop Thomas Becket (age 44) was put on trial in Northampton [Map] by King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 31) on a charge of contempt. After a week of discussion Becket fled to Flanders with Bishop John of Salisbury (age 46).

In Dec 1164 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 31) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 42) held Christmas Court at Marlborough, Wiltshire [Map].

Becket's Relatives Banished

In 26 Dec 1164 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 31) banished all of Thomas Becket's (age 45) relatives from England. Around 400 people were affected. They were stripped of their possessions and shipped to Flanders.

Letters. 1165. Letter IV. [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 62) to Archbishop Thomas Becket (age 45).

To Thomas archbishop of Canterbury, Matilda the empress.

My lord pope sent to me, enjoining me, for the remission of my sins, to interfere to renew peace and concord between you and the king, my son (age 31), and to try to reconcile you to him. You, as you well know, have asked the same thing from me; wherefore, with the more good-will, for the honour of God and the Holy Church, I have begun and carefully treated of that affair. But it seems a very hard thing to the king, as well as to his barons and council, seeing he so loved and honoured you, and appointed you lord of his whole kingdom and of all his lands, and raised you to the highest honours in the land, believing he might trust you rather than any other; and especially so, because he declares that you have, as far as you could, roused his whole kingdom against him; nor was it your fault that you did not disinherit him by main force. Therefore I send you my faithful servant, Archdeacon Laurence, that by him I may know your will in these affairs, and what sort of disposition you entertain towards my son, and how you intend to conduct yourself, if it should happen that he fully grants my petition and prayer on your behalf. One thing I plainly tell you, that you cannot recover the king's favour, except by great humility and most evident moderation. However, what you intend to do in this matter signify to me by my messenger and your letters.

Between 1165 and 1173 Orford Castle, Suffolk [Map] was constructed on behalf of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 31)."One of the most remarkable keeps in England", is of a unique design possibly based on Byzantine architecture.

Henry II meets Rosamund Clifford

Around Aug 1165 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 32) commenced his affair with Rosamund Clifford (age 29) daughter of Walter Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 52). The location is reported by some sources to have been, possibly, Walter's house, or Rosamund's town, of Bredelais the location of which is unknown.

In Oct 1165 [his daughter] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 32) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 43) at Chateau de Angers, Angers.

On 16 Mar 1166 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 33) travelled from St Andrew's Church, Owlesbury [Map] to Falaise, Calvados, Basse Normandie.

Birth of King John

On 24 Dec 1166 [his son] King John of England was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 33) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 44). He was given the nickname "Sans Terre", aka "without land", or in English "Lackland" as a consequence of his being the youngest son.

On 10 Sep 1167 [his mother] Empress Matilda (age 65) died. She was buried under the high alter at Bec Abbey [Map] during a service performed by Rotrou Newburgh Archbishop of Rouen. Her tomb's epitaph reads 'Great by birth, greater by marriage, greatest in her offspring: here lies Matilda, the daughter, wife, and mother of Henry'.

Letters. 1168. Letter V. Marie Blois I Countess Boulogne (age 32) to Louis VII King Franks (age 48).

Let it be known to your highness that Henry, king of England (age 34) has sent his ambassadors to the emperor. It is certain that he has for the most part, succeeded in obtaining what he wished; for the emperor shews himself kindly disposed to the king, and his (the king's) ambassadors being on their return, he has not hesitated to send his own with them to him, which he thought the best course, lest the aforesaid king should doubt whether he was sincere in his assistance against you. The returning ambassadors passed through my territories, and I spoke with them, and well I perceived from their words that the English king ceases not, day nor night, to devise mischief against you. Wherefore I thought it fitting to send to your grace, and to give you the necessary forewarning, that you may take counsel with your wise men, and act as is most fitting, lest the impetuous presumption of the fraudulent king should inflict violent injury upon you. Fare you well.

On 01 Feb 1168 [his son-in-law] Henry "Lion" Welf XII Duke Saxony III Duke Bavaria (age 39) and [his daughter] Matilda Plantagenet Duchess Saxony (age 12) were married. She by marriage Duchess Bavaria, Duchess Saxony. The difference in their ages was 27 years. She the daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 34) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 46). He the son of Henry "Proud" Welf X Duke Bavaria and Gertrude Süpplingenburg Duchess Bavaria.

In Jan 1169 [his son] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England (age 11) and Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu (age 8) were engaged to be married as part of a peace treaty. Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu was sent to England to be a ward of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 35).

Murder of Thomas a Becket

On 29 Dec 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket (age 51) was murdered at Canterbury Cathedral [Map] by four knights on behalf of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 37). Whether Henry ordered the murder, or whether the four knights were acting without orders, is a matter of conjecture. The first use of the well-known phrase "Will no-one rid me of this turbulent priest appears some five hundred and more years later in Robert Dodsley's 1740 Chronicle of the Kings of England.

On 27 Aug 1172 [his son] Henry the Young King (age 17) and [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Capet (age 15) were married at Winchester Cathedral [Map]. Margaret's dowry included the Vexin; the border between France and Normandy. On the same day they were both crowned by Rotrou Newburgh Archbishop of Rouen. She the daughter of Louis VII King Franks (age 52) and Constance of Castile. He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 39) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 50). They were half fourth cousins.

Treaty of Falaise

In Dec 1174 King William I of Scotland (age 31), imprisoned at Falaise Castle [Map], signed the Treaty of Falaise by which he agreed King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 41) was overlord of Scotland. He also agreed to marry a bride of Henry's choosing. He married Ermengarde Beaumont Sarthe Queen Consort Scotland (age 4) twelve years later.

Simon Senlis 7th Earl Huntingdon 6th Earl of Northampton (age 36) succeeded 7th Earl Huntingdon, 6th Earl of Northampton.

On 05 Sep 1186 King William I of Scotland (age 43) and Ermengarde Beaumont Sarthe Queen Consort Scotland (age 16) were married at Woodstock Palace, Oxfordshire [Map] by Archbishop Baldwin Avigo (age 61). She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland at Woodstock Palace, Oxfordshire [Map]. His bride had been chosen by King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 53) as part of the Treaty of Falaise. William received Edinburgh Castle [Map] as a wedding gift from King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. The difference in their ages was 27 years. He the son of Henry Dunkeld 3rd Earl Huntingdon 1st Earl of Northumbria and Ada Warenne Countess Huntingdon and Northumbria. They were half fourth cousins. She a great granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

In 1176 Bishop Peter de Leia was appointed Bishop of St David's by King Henry II (age 42) despite the cathedral chapter preferring Gerald of Wales aka Cambrensis (age 29) aka Giraldus Cambrensis.

Around 1176 [his illegitimate son] William "Longsword" Longespee Earl Salisbury was born illegitimately to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 42) and Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk (age 20).

In 1177 Cardinal Peter of Saint Chrysogonus, on behalf of the Pope, threatened to place England's continental possessions under an interdict if Henry did not proceed with the marriage. [his son] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England (age 19) was somewhat reluctant given the rumours that Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu (age 16) had become the mistress of his father King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 43) and, possibly, had a child by him.

In 1177 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 43) seized Durham Castle [Map] after a disagreement with the then-bishop, Bishop Hugh de Puiset (age 52).

In Feb 1177 [his son-in-law] William "Good" II King Sicily (age 22) and [his daughter] Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily (age 11) were married. She by marriage Queen Sicily. She the daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 43) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 55).

Before 17 Sep 1177 [his son-in-law] Alfonso VIII King Castile (age 21) and [his daughter] Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile (age 15) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 44) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 55). He the son of Sancho III King Castile and Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile. They were half fourth cousins.

In Jul 1181 [his son] Geoffrey Plantagenet 2nd Duke Brittany (age 22) and [his daughter-in-law] Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 20) were married. She by marriage Duchess Brittany. He by marriage Duke Brittany. She the daughter of Conan "The Young" Penthièvre IV Duke Brittany and Margaret Dunkeld Duchess Brittany (age 36). He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 48) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 59). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

On 11 May 1183 Archbishop Walter de Coutances was elected Bishop of Lincoln being selected by King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 50) over three other candidates.

Death of King Henry II

Instruction for a Ruler Book 3 Chapter 26. 06 Jul 1189, Therefore, with these things having been completed in this manner, the king (age 56) had himself carried to the castle of Chinon [Map]; where, his health worsening on Thursday, and having taken to his bed on the seventh day, on that day which physicians call critical, he was lethally struck down, repeating, indeed multiplying, these words, which the intensity of his thoughts, both of the illness and of the pain as well as indignation, extorted from him, because the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart, 'Oh, the shame of a defeated king! Oh, the shame!' he struggled in his final moments. And thus, finally, among such wretched cries, the very herald of his own disgrace, he expired, overwhelmed and oppressed more than ended by natural death. From this, it is clear that the higher one is elevated by prosperity, the more forcefully they are cast down; and the more the bow is bent back, the more powerfully the arrow is propelled forward.

His igitur in hunc modum exactis, ad Chinonense castrum se rex deferri fecit; ubi invalescente valetudine feria quinta, et a qua decubuit septima, die videlicet quem physici criticum vocant, letaliter correptus, hæc ingeminando immo multiplicando verba, quae de reliquiis cogitationum vehementia tam morbi quam doloris pariter et indignationis extorsit, quoniam ex abundantia cordis os loqui solet, "Proh pudor de rege victo! proh pudor!" in extremis laboravit. Et sic demum inter aerumnosas hujusmodi voces, propria praco confusionis, exspiravit, obrutusque magis et oppressus quam naturali morte finitus occubuit. Ex quo patet quod, quanto [quis] secundis altius elevatur, tanto impetuosius ad imum demittitur; quantoque arcus magis retro curvatur, tanto sagitta fortius in anteriora propellitur.

On 06 Jul 1189 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 56) died at Chinon Castle [Map]. William Mandeville 3rd Earl Essex Count Aumale was present. He was buried at Fontevraud Abbey [Map]. His son [his son] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England (age 31) succeeded I King of England.

Death of Eleanor of Aquitaine

On 01 Apr 1204 [his former wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 82) died at Fontevraud Abbey [Map]. She was buried at Fontevraud Abbey [Map].

Effigy of Henry II. THE destruction of our royal effigies at Fontevraud [Map] during the Revolution had been so confidently asserted, that the known devastation of antiquities of this character in France, did not appear to be a sufficient reason to warrant the assertion; but on investigation, by every inquiry it was found to rest on no better foundation, and still wanted confirmation. As the addition of these, to commence our series appeared so desirable an acquisition, and the reflection at the same time presenting itself that by some fortunate chance they might stili be preserved, no other inducements were wanting for hazarding a journey to ascertain their fate. An indiscriminate destruction, which on every side presented itself in a track of three hundred miles, left little to hope on arriving at the Abbey of Fontevraud; but still less, when this celebrated depository of our early kings was found to be but a ruin. Contrary, however, to such an unpromising appearance, the whole of the effigies were discovered in a cellar of one of the buildings adjoining the abbey. For amidst the total annihilation of every thing that immediately surrounded them, these effigies alone were saved; not a vestige of the tomb, and chapel which contained them, remaining. Fortunately, there is nothing destroyed for us to regret. When the fury of the Revolution had ceased, it appears that the veneration these memorials of royalty had for ages excited, led to their removal from the ruined church to a place of more security. They were accordingly conveyed to an octangular isolated building, called the Tour d'Evraud, where they remained safe and undisturbed for eighteen years; but the church having been very lately converted to a prison, and this receptacle being found convenient for some purposes of the new establishment, they were again removed to their present situation, where they are subject daily to be wantonly defaced by the lowest class of prisoners, and where, if they are suffered to remain, they must soon be destroyed.

The effigies are four in number: — Henry II.; his Queen, [his former wife] Eleanor de Guienne; [his son] Richard I.; and [his former daughter-in-law] Isabel d'Angouleme, the Queen of [his son] John. Considering their age, and the vicissitudes they have undergone, they are in excellent preservation. They have all been painted and gilt three or four times; and from the style of the last painting, it is probable it was executed when the effigies were removed from their original situation in the choira. It is this painting which Montfaucon has described, and it has consequently misled himb.

Our present subject, Henry II., the son of the [his mother] Empress Matilda, and [his father] Geoffrey Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, died at the Castle of Chinon [Map], nigh Fontevraud, October, 1189, in the 57th year of his age, and 35th of his reign. A modern French writer, who states as his authorities MSS. preserved in the ecclesiastical archives, says "the body of the unfortunate monarch, vested in his royal habits, the crown of gold on his head, and the sceptre in his hand, was placed on a bier richly ornamented, and borne in great state to the celebrated Abbey of Fontevraud, which he had chosen as the place of his interment, and there set in the nave of the great church, where he was buried." This account partly agrees with that given by Matthew Paris, who says, "But on the morrow, until he should be carried to be buried, he was arrayed in the royal investments, having a golden crown on the head, and gloves on the hands, boots wrought with gold on the feet, and spurs, a great ring on the finger, and a sceptre in the hand, and girt with a sword, he lay with his face uncovered." When we examine the effigy, we cannot fail of remarking that it is already described by these two accounts; the only variation being in the sword, which is not girt, but lies on the bier on the left side, with the belt twisted round it. It therefore appears, that the tomb was literally a representation of the deceased king, as if he still lay in state. Nor can we, without supposing such was the custom, otherwise account for the singular coincidences between the effigy of King John on the lid of his coffin and his body within it, when discovered a few years since.

The crown on the head of Henry II. has been probably many years broken, as appears from some remains of an injudicious attempt to restore it with plaister of Paris. It is represented without those clumsy additions in the etchings. The right hand, on which was the great ring, is also broken; but still contains a portion of the sceptre, which, if we may judge from its stays on the breast, must have been remarkably short. The character of the face is strongly marked by high cheek-bones and projecting lips and chin; the beard is painted, and penciled like a miniature, to represent its being close shaven; the mantle is fastened by a fibula on the right shoulder, its colour has been, like the cushion under the head, of a deep reddish chocolate; the dalmatic is crimson, and appears to have been starred or flowered with gold. The mantle probably was originally ornamented in a similar manner. The boots are green, ornamented with gold, on which are fastened with red leathers the gold spurs. The whole is executed in free stone, and in a style much resembling the seals of the time, but infinitely superior to what we should expect, judging by the effigy of King John, which in comparison with this is a very inferior production. We are told that Henry II. had on his tomb these lines:

Rex Henricus eram, mihi plurima Regna subegi [I was King Henry, and I subjugated many kingdoms]

Multiplicique modo, Duxque Comesque fui [In many ways, I was Duke and Count]

Cui satis ad votum non essent omnia terrae [All the earth would not be enough for him to make a wish]

Climata, terra modo sufficit octo pedum. [In the (current?) climate, only eight feet of earth is sufficient]

Qui legis hæc, pensa discrimina mortis, & in me [He who reads these things, let the judgments of death be weighed upon me]

Humanse speculum conditions habe [Have humane mirror conditions]

Sulhcit hie Tumulus, cui non sulbceret orbis. [Here lies a mound, for which the world would not mourn]

Res brevis ampla mihi, cui fuit ampla brevis. [A brief matter is ample for me, to whom it was a large brief]

Note a. By Jeanne Baptiste de Bourbon, natural daughter of Henry IV. in 1638, who at the same time erected a tomb to contain the whole of them.

Note b. For the gloves having been ignorantly painted of a flesh colour instead of white. Montfaucon says, "Je ne sai que signifient les deux marques rondes quhl a sur les deux mains. [I don't know what the two round marks mean on the hands]" Not conceiving they were the jewels on the gloves, the marks of royalty.

King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 1133-1189 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King William "Conqueror" I of England 1028-1087

King Malcolm III of Scotland 1031-1093

King Duncan I of Scotland 1001-1040

Royal Ancestors of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 1133-1189

Kings Wessex: Great x 3 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings England: Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Kings Scotland: Great x 2 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 9 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great x 3 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 8 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 1133-1189

King Richard "Lionheart" I of England

Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile

King John of England

Eleanor "Fair Maid of Britanny" 4th Countess of Richmond

Louis Wittelsbach IV Holy Roman Emperor

King Henry V of England

Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark

Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland

King Edward IV of England

King Richard III of England

Anne Neville Queen Consort England

King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Christina Queen Consort Denmark Norway and Sweden

Queen Anne Boleyn of England

Anne Jagiellon Holy Roman Empress

Christian III King Denmark

Queen Jane Seymour

Catherine Parr Queen Consort England

Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England

Queen Catherine Howard of England

Augustus Wettin Elector of Saxony

Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland

Louis VI Elector Palatine

Sophie Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark

Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress

Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine

Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor

George Wharton

Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain

Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress

Sophie Amalie Hanover Queen Consort Denmark

Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia

Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia

Charlotte Amalie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway

Charles Palatinate Simmern II Elector Palatine Rhine

Frederick I King Prussia

King George I of Great Britain and Ireland

Louise of Mecklenburg Güstrow Queen Consort Denmark and Norway

Maria Anna Neuburg Queen Consort Spain

Sophia Charlotte Hanover Queen Consort Prussia

Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor

Caroline Hohenzollern Queen Consort England

King George II of Great Britain and Ireland

Sophia Louise Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Prussia

Charles Habsburg Spain VI Holy Roman Emperor

Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia

Polyxena Hesse Rotenburg Queen Consort Sardinia

Louis I King Spain

Francis I Holy Roman Emperor

Louise Élisabeth Bourbon Queen Consort Spain

Louis XV King France

Elisabeth Therese Lorraine Queen Consort Sardinia

Ferdinand VI King Spain

Charles III King Spain

Maria Theresa Habsburg Spain Holy Roman Empress

Juliana Maria Welf Queen Consort Denmark and Norway

King George III of Great Britain and Ireland

Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England

Charles IV King Spain

Caroline Matilda Hanover Queen Consort Denmark and Norway

Louis XVI King France

Louis XVIII King France

King Charles X of France

Marie Sophie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway

Caroline of Brunswick Queen Consort England

Frederick William III King Prussia

Frederica Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort Hanover

Ferdinand VII King Spain

King Christian I of Norway and VIII of Denmark

Frederick William IV King Prussia

Caroline Amalie Oldenburg Queen Norway

William I King Prussia

Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies Queen Consort Spain

Frederick VII King Denmark

Queen Louise Hesse-Kassel of Denmark

King Christian IX of Denmark

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom

Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway

Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia

King Edward VII of the United Kingdom

Alfonso XII King Spain

Maria Christina of Austria Queen Consort Spain

Maria de las Mercedes Unknown Queen Consort Spain

Brigadier-General Charles FitzClarence

Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England

Constantine I King Greece

Alexandrine Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark

Victoria Eugénie Mountbatten Queen Consort Spain

Louise Mountbatten Queen Consort Sweden

Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Sophia Glücksburg Queen Consort Spain

Constantine II King Hellenes

Carl XVI King Sweden

Queen Consort Camilla Shand

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Catherine Middleton Princess of Wales

Ancestors of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 1133-1189

Great x 4 Grandfather: Fulcuich Count Mortagne au Perche

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh de Perche Count Gâtinais

Great x 4 Grandmother: Melisende Viscountess Châteaudun

Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey "Ferréol" Anjou 2nd Count Gâtinais

Great x 4 Grandfather: Albéric II Count Mâcon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Béatrice de Mâcon Countess Gâtinais

Great x 1 Grandfather: Fulk "Réchin" Anjou 4th Count Anjou

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ermengarde Blanche Ingelger Duchess Burgundy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Hildegarde Sundgau Countess Anjou

GrandFather: Fulk "Young" King Jerusalem

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Reginarids

Great x 3 Grandfather: Aumary Reginarids

Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon Montfort

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bertrade Unknown

Great x 1 Grandmother: Bertrade Montfort Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Normandy Archbishop of Rouen

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Normandy 2nd Count Évreux

Great x 4 Grandmother: Herleva Countess Évreux

Great x 2 Grandmother: Agnès of Normandy

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ramon Borrell Count of Barcelona

Great x 3 Grandmother: Adelaide or Godehildis Ramon

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ermesinde of Carcassonne

Father: Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Jean de la Flèche La Flèche De Baugency

Great x 1 Grandfather: Elias La Flèche De Baugency I Count Maine

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Maine III Count Maine

Great x 3 Grandfather: Herbert "Wakedog" Maine I Count Maine

Great x 4 Grandmother: Unamed Penthièvre Countess Maine

Great x 2 Grandmother: Paula Maine

GrandMother: Ermengarde La Flèche De Baugency Countess Anjou

Great x 2 Grandfather: Gervais II Lord Chateau Du Loir

Great x 1 Grandmother: Matilda Chateau Du Loir Countess Maine

King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Gunnora Countess Ponthieu

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy

Great x 1 Grandfather: King William "Conqueror" I of England -2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Father of Beatrix and Herleva

Great x 2 Grandmother: Herleva Falaise

GrandFather: King Henry I "Beauclerc" England Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Arnulf II Count Flanders

Great x 3 Grandfather: Baldwin "Bearded" IV Count Flanders

Great x 4 Grandmother: Rozala of Italy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Baldwin "The Good" V Count Flanders

Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Luxemburg Ardennes

Great x 3 Grandmother: Ogive Luxemburg Countess Flanders

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ermentrude Gleiburg

Great x 1 Grandmother: Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England

Mother: Empress Matilda Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Duncan I of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Malcolm III of Scotland

GrandMother: Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Æthelred II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward "The Exile" Wessex

Great x 3 Grandmother: Ealdgyth Unknown

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland

Great x 2 Grandmother: Agatha