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I told you earlier that Henry and Eleanor had five sons. In order of appearance (birth) they were William, Henry,
Geoffrey, Richard and John. William died when he was only 2 so that got him out of the way but the other 4 spent much of Henry II’s reign arguing and
fighting amongst themselves and with their father.
Henry (the second son) was the rightful heir as he was the oldest still living but they all started quarelling about who should rule where.
In 1182, Henry II gathered his children to tell them his plan for their inheritance. Henry (the son) would have England, Normandy and Anjou; Richard (his mother's
favourite) would inherit the Duchy of Aquitaine; Geoffrey inherit Brittany; and John would inherit Ireland. This is shown on our map but, in fact, it started
another argument but all became meaningless in 1183 when Henry (the son) died.
His death came about because Henry (the son) had started a revolt against Henry (the father) and the revolt was supported by Eleanor (the mother).
Henry (the father) then arrested and imprisoned Eleanor (the mother). She stayed in various castles in England but was allowed out for special events such as
Christmas.
Henry II then had a new plan and Richard would have Anjou,
Normandy and England, plus a few other bits, Geoffrey keep Brittany while John would have Aquitaine, which of course belonged to their mother, and Richard
ruled at the time. Click here to see that on our map. Richard said no and off we go
again. This time Henry II sent Geoffrey and John to take Aquitaine from Richard but he was too strong for them. Geoffrey then helped things out by being
killed in a jousting tournament in Paris, which just left Richard and John.
Henry II still wanted to leave John something but Richard now joined forces with the new King of France, Philip II. Obviously Philip ruled all
the rest of France that Henry didn’t, so any argument between Henry and Richard was a good idea to him.
In 1189 Henry was defeated by Richard and Philip near Tours in France. He then discovered that his favourite, John, was also fighting against
him and this was just too much. Having reigned for 35 years, and suffering from an ulcer, Henry died on 6 July 1189. His legacy, apart from all the wars
between his children, was the best administration in all Europe.
Richard succeeded him but having got the throne of England he went off and joined the crusades only spending 1 year of his 10 as King in England.
His mother, Eleanor, remember her because he did and released her from prison, and she ruled on his behalf while he was off crusading helped by the other
remaining son John.
Forward to 1199AD
