The Plantagenets
The Plantagenets were a huge powerful family not just in England but throughout Europe. King Henry II 1154 – 1189 Son of Matilda and grandson of Henry I. Came to the throne at just 21. He ruled for thirty-four years, but spent only fourteen of them in England. He controlled more of France than the King of France. Thomas Becket was Henry II's Chancellor before the king made him Archbishop of Canterbury, even though he had never been a priest. Henry is mostly remembered for his quarrel with Thomas A Becket, and Becket's subsequent murder in Canterbury Cathedral on 29th December 1170. Henry's eldest son, also called Henry, died before his father so in 1189 his second son, Richard, succeeded to the throne. King Richard I the Lionheart 1189 – 1199 Third and eldest surviving son of Henry II. He was in England for only ten months, spending the other time fighting in the * Crusades. He spoke very little English. * The Crusades were a series of nine religious wars waged from 1095 to liberate the Holy Land from Islamic rule. King John 1 1199 – 1216 Fourth child of Henry II and brother of Richard l. Responsible for the Magna Carta (Great Charter) giving justice to all. King Henry III 1216 – 1272 Eldest son of John I. Henry was 9 years old when he became king. His reign lasted fifty-six years, making it the longest of any English monarch (NB not British monarch) In 1264 Henry was captured during a civil war and was forced to set up a 'Parlement' (from the French "parler", to talk) at Westminster, the start of the House of Commons. He rebuilt Westminster Abbey. King Edward I 1272 – 1307 Eldest son of Henry III. Edward 'Longshanks' (so called because he was over 6ft tall) fought wars against the Scots King Robert the Bruce and was called 'the hammer of the Scots'. Edward formed the Model Parliament in 1295, bringing together the knights, clergy, nobility and burgesses of the cities, bringing Lords and Commons together for the first time. King Edward II 1307 – 1327 Son of Edward I. He was called Edward of Carnarvon after his birthplace in Wales. Edward's wife raised an army to take over the Kingdom. He was murdered in gaol. King Edward III 1327 – 1377 Son of Edward II. Edward came to the throne at the age of 14. He fought many battles against the Scots and the French. Set up the Order of the Garter. The outbreak of bubonic plague, the 'Black Death' in 1348-1350 killed half the population of England.
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