This timeline gives a chronological listing of the main events in English History for the years 1180 – 1189
The monarchs for this period were:
Henry II to July 1189
Richard I from July 1189
1180 (during)
New silver coins were minted in England.
1180 (September)
Pact of Ivry
This non-aggression agreement between England and France was renewed.
This non-aggression agreement between England and France was renewed.
1181 (during)
King Henry II’s sons, Richard and Henry The Young King argued over lands in Aquitaine.
1181 (July)
Henry’s son, Geoffrey, married Constance, daughter of Conan IV, Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond.
1182 (during)
Henry, The Young King, led a revolt against his father in Aquitaine.
1183 (11th June)
Henry, the Young King died at Martel Castle, Turenne, France, from dysentery.
1184 (during)
Glastonbury Abbey was destroyed by fire.
1184 (during)
A new dispute over Aquitaine arose between Henry’s sons Richard and John.
1184 (16th February)
Richard of Dover, Archbishop of Canterbury, died.
1184 (December)
Baldwin of Exeter was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.
1185 (during)
Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of Henry II, took control of Aquitaine.
1185 (11th April)
An earthquake occurred. It could be felt throughout the Midlands and destroyed Lincoln Cathedral.
1185 (25th April)
Henry’s son, John was appointed Lord of Ireland.
1186 (19th August)
Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany, son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine died after being trampled by his horse at a tournament.
1186 (onwards)
Philip Augustus of France took advantage of the continuing quarrels between Henry and his sons and supported Richard and John against their father. Philip hoped that he would be able to recover the Angevin Empire for France.
1187 (May)
A truce was reached between Philip Augustus, Henry and Richard when the three agreed to go on a Crusade.
1188 (during)
Henry II introduced a new tax to pay for the planned Crusade.
1189 (May)
Henry’s son, Richard, began a new campaign against his father.
1189 (4th July)
Henry and Richard reached agreement and Henry agreed that Richard should be his heir.
1189 (6th July)
King Henry II died in France. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Richard.
1189 (13th July)
Richard’s sister, Matilda, Duchess of Saxony, died.
1189 (13th August)
Richard arrived at Portsmouth from France.
1189 (3rd September)
Richard I was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
1189 (12th December)
Richard left England to go on the planned Crusade with Philip Augustus against Saladin. He left William Longchamp and Hugh de Puiset as Justicars in his absence.
First published 2016; updated and republished May 27 2022 @ 12:29 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2016 – 2022). English History 1180 – 1189.