1.2.2 Henry II

Question 1

Who is referred to as the ‘Angevins’?

Answer 1

Henry and his brothers

Question 2

At its largest, what did Henry II’s Angevin Empire include?

Answer 2

Much of France, including Normandy, Anjou and Aquitaine. He actually controlled more of France than the French king himself!

Question 3

Describe the Invasion of Ireland, 1166 (3)

Answer 3

• Most kings had not considered Ireland - which had little wealth worth invading. However, in 1166, ‘King’ Dermot of Leinster in Ireland asked Henry II for help against another Irish ‘king’.
• Henry sent an army over to assist but the knights and barons who went used it as an opportunity to seize lands for themselves. By the mid-1170s the English controlled more land than the Irish
• Henry used his control in Ireland to strengthen and build new fortifications and to develop Dublin as a centre of trade and commerce. This would give Henry money and extra defence against invading forces.

Question 4

What did Henry use his control in Ireland to do? (2)

Answer 4

• To strengthen and build new fortifications
• To develop Dublin as a centre of trade and commerce: this would give Henry money and extra defence against invading forces

Question 5

When did Henry II invade Ireland and how long did he stay there for?

Answer 5

• He invaded Ireland in 1171 and stayed there fore 6 months, attempting to establish Angevin authority by building castles

Question 6

What was the Treaty of Windsor?

Answer 6

• It was difficult to wrestle power away from the Irish, but in 1175 Henry came to an agreement with the High King of Ireland in the Treaty of Windsor
• They agreed that Henry could control a portion of land on the east coast known as ‘The Pale’.
• Henry had added another possession to the sprawling Angevin Empire

Question 7

What was the portion of land on the east coast known as, which the King of Ireland and Henry agreed on him controlling?

Answer 7

The Pale

Question 8

Henry II had 4 sons so he decided to divide his inheritance between them. Which son claimed which piece of land?

Answer 8

• England and Normandy: Henry
• Aquitaine: Richard
• Brittany: Geofrrey
• Ireland: John

Question 9

Describe Richard I’s reign after Henry II’s death

Answer 9

Became king when Henry died. Spent a long period of his reign in France or on crusades. Lost land in France to King Phillip II - this was down to John’s scheming

Question 10

Describe John’s reign when Richard I died

Answer 10

Became king in 1199 when Richard died. Lost the remaining French land and only held on to Gascony. Became known as ‘soft sword’ because of his poor military reputation

Question 11

Who did John have attacks from when he became king? (2)

Answer 11

• King Phillip II of France
• People that wanted his brother, Arthur, to be king

Question 12

What did Henry II improve?

Answer 12

The English justice system, setting up courts to give people a fair trial

Question 13

Describe briefly the timeline of events from 1189 - 1216 to do with the Angevin Empire (6)

Answer 13

• 1189: Henry II dies and his son becomes King Richard I
• 1193-4: Philip II of France invades Normandy and Anjou
• 1199: Richard is killed; his brother becomes King John. John and Arthur of Brittany are in conflict over land in France; Arthur is murdered
• 1199: The Angevin Empire starts to crumble under John through bad decisions and because he runs out of money at a crucial time
• 1202-05: Philip II conquers Normandy, Anjou, Maine and Brittany
• 1216: John dies, and with the loss of Anjou and many other important French lands, this marks the end of the Angevin Empire

Question 14

How many sons did Henry II have?

Answer 14

4