The Significance of Henry’s Accession (1154)
The Significance of Henry’s Accession (1154) The Christmas-tide of 1154 marked an epoch nearly as decisive as 1066.…
The Task Before the Young King
The Task Before the Young King Henry faced the colossal work of resurrecting the body politic from utter decay.…
Henry’s Early Training and Inherited Strengths
Henry’s Early Training and Inherited Strengths Henry’s qualifications for kingship were largely innate rather than learned.…
His Physical Appearance and Stature
His Physical Appearance and Stature Henry had no claim to his father’s epithet of beauty, but he possessed a form that commanded a soldier’s attention.…
His Face, Eyes, and Expression
His Face, Eyes, and Expression Courtiers described Henry’s face as “lion-like” or “a countenance of fire,” full of animation, energy, and vigour—as even his tomb effigy confirms.…
His Plain Dress and the Name ‘Curtmantel’
His Plain Dress and the Name ‘Curtmantel’ Henry inherited as little of Geoffrey’s refinement as of his physical grace.…
Temperance and Lack of Personal Luxury
Temperance and Lack of Personal Luxury In later years Henry was accused of extreme parsimony, and even as a young man he clearly took no pleasure in pomp or luxury.…
Restlessness and Passion for the Chase
Restlessness and Passion for the Chase Henry’s restlessness outdid even that of Fulk Nerra. He was always active, spurning dreams of ease even in sleep.…
Conduct at Church and Religious Duties
Conduct at Church and Religious Duties In church Henry was especially restless. Unmindful of the sacred unction that had made him king, he begrudged time taken from secular affair…
The Trials of His Mobile and Erratic Court
The Trials of His Mobile and Erratic Court Attendance on Henry was no light matter. His clerks compared his court to the infernal regions.…
Contrast with Henry I’s Orderly Court
Contrast with Henry I’s Orderly Court Henry’s bustling, roving court was utterly unlike the orderly, well-disciplined court of the first King Henry.…
Henry as a Worker and Born Ruler
Henry as a Worker and Born Ruler Yet beneath the rough exterior and seemingly erratic ways, Henry was no less than his grandfather an indefatigable worker and a born ruler of men.…
His Learning and Love of Reading
His Learning and Love of Reading Henry was to the end of his life the most learned crowned head in Christendom.…
His Accessibility to Subjects
His Accessibility to Subjects Though his habit of withdrawing into private apartments grieved those who remembered his grandfather’s public hours, Henry II was never difficult of…
His Remarkable Memory
His Remarkable Memory Unlike his grandfather Fulk V., who could never remember a face, Henry never failed to recognize a man once seen.…
CAPÍTULO IX.
The chapter opens with an analysis of Henry II’s moral constitution, drawing comparisons between him and his Angevin predecessors, particularly Fulk Nerra and the earlier Fulk counts of Anjou, noting his strong and lasting passions, his terrifying wrath, and his remarkable capac…
Henry’s Character and Temperament
Henry II’s worst private vices developed fully only in later years, but even early on he was less careful of the outward decorum of his household than his grandfather had been, an…
Henry’s Chief English Ministers
The young king recognized that his Norman counsellors were useless for the work of reconstruction and reform in England and resolved to draw his chief ministers from English sourc…
Theobald and Becket’s Appointment as Chancellor
Under the old English constitutional system, the archbishop of Canterbury was the keeper of the royal conscience and the sovereign’s first adviser.…
Becket’s Role and Influence as Chancellor
The chancellor’s duties, as originally organized by Roger of Salisbury, comprised the keeping of the royal seal, the drawing-up of writs and charters, the conduct of the royal cor…
Becket’s Appearance, Household, and Hospitality
In outward aspect Thomas was far more regal than the king himself: very tall and elegantly formed, with an oval face, handsome aquiline features, a lofty brow, and large, lustrous…
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.