Henry II (Penguin Monarchs)

Name: Henry II (Penguin Monarchs)
Rating: 2.5 (5 reviews)

by Richard Barber Book 9 in the Penguin Monarchs series.

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2.5(5)

Richard Barber portrays Henry II as an energetic ruler who built a vast cross-Channel dominion and restored royal power after the Anarchy. The book follows his administration of England, his legal reforms and his efforts to control a family empire stretching from the Scottish border to the Pyrenees.

Henry’s reign was also marked by destructive personal and dynastic conflict. Barber examines the quarrel with Thomas Becket, repeated rebellions by Henry’s sons and the political role of Eleanor of Aquitaine, showing how exceptional ability could not prevent the Angevin family from turning against itself.