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Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Henri of Anjou, handing the future King Henry II of England most of France, allowing future

Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Henri of Anjou, handing the future King Henry II of England most of France, allowing future kings of England to claim France for centuries thereafter

Henry II ( (1133-March-05) (1189-July-06)5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) was King of England from 1154 until his death in 1189. During his reign he controlled England, substantial parts of Wales and Ireland, and much of France (including Normandy, Anjou, and Aquitaine), an area that was later called the Angevin Empire, and also held power over Scotland for a time and the Duchy of Brittany.

Henry was the eldest son of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, and Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England. By the age of fourteen, he became politically and militarily involved in his mother's efforts to claim the English throne, at that time held by her cousin Stephen of Blois.

Historical Significance

Henry II ( (1133-March-05) (1189-July-06)5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) was King of England from 1154 until his death in 1189.

Key People

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Queen of France and England; Duchess of Aquitaine

Queen of France and England; Duchess of Aquitaine

Henry II of England

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Events Before

  1. Jewish community in Cologne fasts to commemorate anti-Jewish violence

    Jewish community in Cologne fasts to commemorate anti-Jewish violence

  2. King Afonso I of Portugal occupies Lisbon

    Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until...

  3. Pope Eugene III takes refuge in the castle of Ptolemy II of Tusculum

    Pope Eugene III takes refuge in the castle of Ptolemy II of Tusculum

  4. Raymond of Antioch is defeated and killed at the Battle of Inab in modern-day Syria by the Zengid army of the atabeg Nur

    Raymond of Antioch is defeated and killed at the Battle of Inab in modern-day Syria by the Zengid army of the atabeg Nur al-Din Zengi

  5. Tichborne family of Hampshire England start tradition of giving gallon of flour to residents to keep deathbed promise

    Tichborne family of Hampshire England start tradition of giving gallon of flour to residents to keep deathbed promise

Events After

  1. Malcolm IV becomes King of Scots

    Malcolm IV (Medieval Gaelic: Máel Coluim mac Eanric; Scottish Gaelic: Maol Chaluim mac Eanraig), nicknamed Virgo, "the Maiden" (between 23 April and 24 May 1141 – 9 December 1165) was King of...

  2. Treaty of Wallingford (Oxfordshire) signed between King Stephen and the Empress Maude (aka Matilda)

    Treaty of Wallingford (Oxfordshire) signed between King Stephen and the Empress Maude (aka Matilda)

  3. Damascus surrenders to the Nūr al-Dīn, ruler of Aleppo

    Aleppo is a city in northern Syria, which serves as the capital of the Aleppo Governorate, the country's most populous governorate.

  4. Adrian IV elected Pope. The only Englishman to become pontiff, Nicholas Breakspear was a member of the family which unti

    Adrian IV elected Pope. The only Englishman to become pontiff, Nicholas Breakspear was a member of the family which until recent years brewed beer in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

  5. Roger II dies

    Roger II dies

More from the 1150s

In one of the most expensive divorces in history, French King Louis VII is granted an annulment from Eleanor of Aquitain

In one of the most expensive divorces in history, French King Louis VII is granted an annulment from Eleanor of Aquitaine on the grounds of consanguinity (being from the same kinship as another person)

Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa marries Beatrice of Burgundy, daughter and heiress of Renaud III at Würzburg

Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa marries Beatrice of Burgundy, daughter and heiress of Renaud III at Würzburg

Vladislav II of Bohemia becomes king

Vladislav II of Bohemia becomes king

According to legend, freeholder Lalli slays English crusader Bishop Henry with an axe on the ice of Lake Köyliönjärvi in

According to legend, freeholder Lalli slays English crusader Bishop Henry with an axe on the ice of Lake Köyliönjärvi in Finland

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 18, 1152?
Henry II ( (1133-March-05) (1189-July-06)5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) was King of England from 1154 until his death in 1189. During his reign he controlled England, substantial parts of Wales and Ireland, and much of France (including Normandy, Anjou, and Aquitaine), an area that was later called the Angevin Empire, and also held power over Scotland for a time and the Duchy of Brittany. Henry was the eldest son of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, and Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England.
Why is Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Henri of Anjou, handing the future King Henry II... significant?
Henry II ( (1133-March-05) (1189-July-06)5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) was King of England from 1154 until his death in 1189.
Who was involved in Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Henri of Anjou, handing the future King Henry II...?
Key figures include Eleanor of Aquitaine (Queen of France and England; Duchess of Aquitaine), Henry II of England.

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May 18 in HistoryYear 1152