Henry II reigned as King of England from 1154-1189.

He was born in 1133 to Empress Matilda and Geoffrey of Anjou. His mother Matilda, was the only surviving legitimate child of Henry I. She battled with her cousin, Stephen of Blois for the throne of England, following Henry I's death.
When Stephen's son Eustace died in 1153, Stephen finally agreed in the Treaty of Wallingford that Matilda's son Henry should be the next successor to the throne.

Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine and they had eight children named William, Henry, Richard, Geoffrey, John, Matilda, Eleanor and Joan. William died in infancy and Henry was crowned King of England, but never ruled.

Henry II is famous for his struggles with the church, in particular with his former friend Thomas Becket, the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, who he indirectly had assassinated in 1170.

Henry was eventually killed by his son, Richard the Lionheart in 1189. Richard took over the throne in the same year.