Henry II Interesting Facts

1 France gets a lesson in style

Thomas Becket became Henry’s chancellor within weeks of Henry’s coronation. The two men were the best of friends. They ate together, rode together, feasted together. To show his high regard, when Henry sent Becket to France as an ambassador in 1158, his travelling party caused a sensation with its opulence. Over 200 servants rode in full livery while twelve horses were ridden by costumed monkeys. This impressive display underlined Becket’s value to his King.

2 Roaring rages

On hearing praise about his greatest enemy, William King of Scotland, Henry is said to have flown into one of his spectacular rages. He turned beetroot red, threw off his cap, cloak, belt and outer clothing and started chewing the matting covering the floor.

3 A childish sense of humour

Henry II knew how to enjoy himself. To celebrate the annual Christmas Day banquet, his jester Roland would fart on command.

4 Excessively energetic

Henry was never still, he travelled his lands extensively. If he was not ruling his kingdom, he was hunting, or chasing his many mistresses. He was known for his passion, temper and energy but he could also be calm and thoughtful. His grand passion was to restore the legal system fostered by Henry I but weakened by the feuding of Stephen and Matilda.

5 Fiery yet remorseful in nature

Once his knights heard him raging about Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. He shouted ‘will no-one rid me of this turbulent priest?’ To please him, the knights slaughtered Thomas in his cathedral. Henry was so remorseful, he accepted the punishment decreed by the pope. He walked barefoot to Canterbury and was whipped by monks in front of the huge tomb he had built for Thomas.

6 Canterbury Cathedral

Following Becket’s murder by Henry’s knights, Canterbury Cathedral became a popular tourist attraction for pilgrims. It was unusual for a king to allow himself to be publicly and painfully punished for a misdemeanour by his men. It seems the common people enjoyed the novelty and travelled from all over Europe to see Becket’s tomb.

7 Henry’s wife was as strong willed as him

Queen Eleanor was married to King Louis of France when she met Henry. He impressed her so much, she immediately divorced Louis in order to marry him. This was a very bold move for the times. It back-fired though. Henry began to lose trust in his beautiful, wilful and intelligent wife. He preferred to spend his time with women who accepted his word without question. Eventually he placed Eleanor under house arrest to stop her from challenging his authority.

8 Angevin Empire

Even before he became King of England, Henry was a powerful man. As Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy and head of the Angevin Empire, he owned more land than the King of France.