English History Timeline 1150-1159

Henry Plantagenet, son of Matilda and Geoffrey of Anjou, was created Duke of Normandy.

Matilda, Geoffrey and Henry made peace with Louis VII of France. In return for lands in The Vexin, Louis agreed to recognise Henry as Duke of Normandy.

Geoffrey of Anjou died and was succeeded by his son, Henry. Henry, aged 18 years was now Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy.

Louis VII divorced his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine

King Stephen asked the nobility to swear fealty to his son, Eustace as his successor. He also asked that his son be crowned but Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, refused. Stephen had the Archbishop imprisoned but he escaped to Flanders.

Matilda of Boulogne, Stephen’s wife, died.

Henry of Anjou, Duke of Normandy married Eleanor of Aquitaine. The marriage meant that he controlled the duchy of Aquitaine in addition to Anjou and Normandy.

Henry of Anjou, Duke of Normandy arrived in England. He hoped to try to gain support for his mother’s cause.

Siege of Wallingford Castle
King Stephen lay siege to Wallingford Castle; Henry in turn encircled the besiegers. Church leaders made it clear that they wanted peace and began suggesting terms.

Stephen’s son and designated heir, Eustace of Boulogne, died.

A son, William was born to Henry of Anjou and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Treaty of Winchester / Treaty of Wallingford
This treaty formalised a peace between King Stephen and Matilda of Anjou. The negotiations were led by Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury. By the terms of the treaty, Stephen would remain King for the remainder of his life but Henry Plantagenet would succeed upon Stephen’s death.

King Stephen died and Henry of Anjou succeeded to the throne as King Henry II. His accession ended the Norman dynasty and began the Angevin/Plantagenet dynasty.

Henry of Anjou returned to England to take the throne.

Peter de Bermingham gained a charter of marketing rights from Henry II and began a market in the area known as the Bull Ring.

Nicholas Breakspear became Pope Adrian IV, the only English Pope.

Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine were crowned King and Queen at Westminster Abbey.

Henry appointed his close friend, Thomas Becket, Chancellor.

A son, Henry, later to be styled the Young King, was born to Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Henry still had a few opponents to his rule namely Stephen’s son William and his own brothers Geoffrey and William, so he called on the English barons to swear fealty to him.

Henry paid homage to King Louis VII of France in order to secure the French King’s recognition for his titles – Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine and Duke of Aquitaine.

Prince William, eldest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine died aged two years and eight months.

A daughter, Matilda, was born to Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

King Henry II reached an agreement with Scotland whereby Malcolm IV returned Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland to England and in return Henry granted him the title Earl of Huntingdon.

King Henry decided to try to subdue Wales. He invaded Wales with the support of Madog ap Maredudd of Powys and the Prince of Wales, Owain Gwynedd’s  brother Cadwaladr.

Battle of Ewloe
The Battle of Ewloe was fought between the forces of Henry II of England and Owain Gwynedd of Wales. The Welsh secured a decisive victory and Henry narrowly avoided capture.

King Henry managed to gain control of Rhuddlan in Wales. Fearing the strength of the full Angevin army, Owain Gwynedd agreed peace terms and paid homage to Henry II.

A son, Richard was born to Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Conan, Duke of Brittany, paid homage to Henry II.

King Henry II left England for Normandy where he would remain for the next 5 years.

Henry’s brother Geoffrey, Count of Nantes, died. Henry took Nantes for himself.

Henry II and Louis VII of France signed a treaty that proposed that Henry, the Young King would marry Louis’ daughter Marguerite and in return Louis would secure control of land in The Vexin.

A son, Geoffrey, was born to Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Richard FitzNeal was appointed Lord High Treasurer.

Henry attempted to take Toulouse which had become independent from Aquitaine, but failed.