Henry II became King of England in 1154 after years of civil war, and through his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine expanded his territories across western France and Scotland, creating an Angevin Empire. He appointed his friend Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury to exert royal control over the church, but Becket resisted Henry's demands and was exiled for four years. After Becket's return, four knights loyal to Henry murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, making him a martyr. Henry did penance at Becket's tomb and spent his later years struggling to maintain control over his rebellious sons.

1. Unit 4.1 : Henry II (1154-1189)
Medieval Kingship

2. Words to learn
Terminology Meanings
Aquitaine Large medieval Duchy covering South-West France , ruled by
Queen Eleanor
Angevin Empire An Empire ruled by Henry II stretched from Scotland and
Pyrenees
Archbishop of
Canterbury
martyr A person who killed for their belief, often for religious

3. Henry II - Personality
• Henry II was short and
stout, have freckles and
red hair. He had fiery
temper, enermous
reserves of energy and
fierce personality
• His mother was Empress
Matilta (who had fought
civil war with Stephan)

4. How did Henry II get the throne?
• Towards the end of civil
war, his mom Matilda
allowed Stephan to
rule, but she provided a
son (Henry) and he
became Stephen’s
successor.
• In 1154, he was
crowned as king.
• After 19 years of brutal
civil war, he promised
to restore peace and
order.

5. Henry and his reign in France and
Scotland
• His father was a part of
royal family “Count of
Anjou”
• He gained land in France
called Aquitaine through his
marriage with a powerful
queen “Eleanor of
Aquitine”
• With the help of french
soldiers , he managed to
gain the lost land in
Scotland and Wales and he
named it “Avengin Empire”

6. The conspiracy begin
• Henry II wanted to gain
influence but Pope is not
on his side
• Priest and monks could
avoid trial or not getting
punished for their crimes
because it is part of
benefit of clergy
• He persuaded Thomas
Becket to become the
Archbisop of Canterbury to
carry out the new rules in
church

7. The murder of Sir Thomas Becket
-Before the murder
• Thomas Becket was a
clever young lawyer,
whom Henry made him a
Chancellor in 1155.They
were great friends enjoyed
drinking and hunting
together.
• Henry even sent his son to
be brought up by Becket,
they both were like ‘but
one heart and one mind”

8. Is Becket on Henry’s side?
• Becket turned out to be so
religious, he stopped
drinking and wear
uncomfortale shirt to
show his holiness.
• Instead of standing for
Henry II, he refused to
take Henry’s order, Becket
defended the church.
Henry was furious with
anger

9. Why was Becket exiled?
• Henry wanted to crown his
son as new king and he and
Becket was no longer
friends.
• He refused to crown his son
as new king. He too
influence other pope not to
agree with Henry’s
decisions. In court he mock
Henry by calling his brother
“a bastard” and Becket was
exiled to France for 4 years

10. Becket’s return to England
• His hatred built up against
Henry , after his return to
England, he came to know
that Henry’s son was
crowned king (without his
permission)
• He excommunicated all the
priest involved in the
ceremony and all bishops
loyal to Henry

11. Henry’s last resort
• Henry was engulf in anger
and he shouted at his
dinner table “ will nobody
rid me of this turbulent
priest?”
• There were 4 knights
overheard this, They were
filled with greed of power
and influence of Kings’
favour.
• They all traveled to
Canterbury Cathedral at
that same night to kill
Becket

12. Becket’s death
• Becket was preparing for his
evening service when these 4
knights knocked down
cathedral’s door.
• Some monks tried to hide him
and some told him to leave but
he refused
• A struggle happen and one
knight stroke a sword
penetrating his skull and spilled
out his brain all over cathedral
floor
• The people of England was
appalled and Thomas Becket
became a Christian martyr

13. Henry’s guilt
• Henry II realised he made a
great mistake, he killed a
friend who was once become
part of his heart and soul
• In 1174, henry walked
barefooted and request to be
punished by one of the priest.
• He was lashed 1 hundred
times before spending the
night sleeping next to Beckets
shrine (grave coffin)

14. Henry’s death
• Henry has 3 sons
• One of his son was filled with anger because he did not manage to rule
over Angevin (land in Scotland) He sided the rebelion and revolt against
his own father with the help of his own wife (Eleanor)
• He never made peace with his sons as they continued rebelled against
him
• He died in 1189 , probably from a broken heart