An overview of Henry II's empire and how he controlled it

1. How did Henry II maintain
control over his territories?

3.  Disparate
 Not a “natural” empire – lacked cohesion
 Cultures, customs, dialects, languages
diverse
 Some inherited; some via marriage; some
through skilful political manoeuvring
 Vast – Distances king had to travel
 Across water
 Horse = fastest form transport
 King's entourage huge
 Armies and equipment = heavy,
cumbersome

4.  King Henry II of England
 Henry was the lord of all
in England
 Henry, Duke of
Normandy, Duke of
Aquitaine
 The French king was his
overlord
 And the overlord for
Henry’s French vassals
 Henry sometimes used
this to his advantage

5.  Both Vassal and Overlord
 French king = overlord for French lands
 Henry II’s vassals could go over Henry
 Especially if harboured grudge
 Political expediency
 Be where needed, when
 Time in both England and French lands
 Be where most necessary - crises
 Needed strong barons
 Not over-mighty subjects though
 Trustworthy servants serving king’s best interest
 Many independent
 Maintain justice, law and order
 Importance of good structure of administration and government

7.  Inexhaustible
 Attention to detail
 Shrewd judge of others
 Political cunning
 Successful warrior
 Strategic tactician
 Charismatic
 Respected and feared

8.  Henry allowed barons ruling the
peripheral lands freer rein
 More difficult to enforce his rule
 Not want to drive them into Louis VII’s hands
 They could appeal to Louis as the ultimate
overlord
 Elsewhere Henry ruled more directly
 England; Normandy; Anjou; Maine; Touraine
 Poitou, Limousin and Auvergne to lesser extent
 Ruled through officials
 Removable at will
 Personally chosen from lesser land-holders, even
low-born
 Chosen for ability, loyalty

9.  Henry = itinerant king and lord
 Needed secure government in absence
 Each province had ...
 Justiciar (England) or Seneschal (France)
 Carefully chosen key officials – chosen by
Henry II
 Head of hierarchy of government
officials
 Henry II knew what was going on ...
 Justiciars and Seneschals under regular
royal supervision by travelling Court
 Via administrative writs

10.  Kings travelled realms
 Collecting feudal dues
 Dispensing justice
 Building up relationships with local nobility
 Drafting and sending out Writs
 Henry II VERY energetic – never stopped!
 Itinerant justices
 Itinerant Commissions
 With special missions, investigating specific remits
 E.g. Henry II and the sheriffs

11. Domestic
• Chapel - Headed
by Chancellor
• Hunting
• Personal
Admin
• Drafting
documents
• Supervised by
Chancellor
Military
• Household
knights
• Core of royal
army
Financial:
Chamber
• Held king's valuables
• Financial office of
itinerate household
• Permanent Treasury
at Winchester
Judicial
• King's Court
• Listened to
counsellors
• Received important
visitors
• Dispensed justice

12. Henry II’s
Personality Government
Henry’s
Energy
SUCCESS
Charismatic
Awe-inspiring
Feared
Respected
Centralised
Writs
Well chosen deputies
Monitored
Travelling Court
Justiciars / Seneschals
Use of feudal system
Tirelessly travelling
Swift
Tactic of surprise