Henry II, one of the Angevin kings, was one of the most effective of all England’s monarchs. He came to the throne amid the anarchy of Stephen’s reign and promptly collared his errant barons. He refined Norman government and created a capable, self-standing bureaucracy. His energy was equaled only by his ambition and intelligence. Henry survived many wars, rebellions, and controversy to successfully rule one of the Middle Ages’ most powerful kingdoms. Henry was crowned King of England on October of 1154 and ruled up until 1189, which is the same year as his death. The continental empire ruled by Henry included the French counties of Brittany, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Gascony, Anjou, Aquitane, and Normandy (Alexander, 124). Three things that were important in Henry II’s reign was the relationship between Henry and the appointed bishop Thomas Becket. The second important thing is King Henry II’s acheivments that expanded England and made the country strong. The final important thing in the kings reign that he did to regulate his country is that he regulated the financial system, to take power away from the barons, and he used taxes to help him build a fighting force, to make England safe from invasion. Henry II, King of England, ruled strong and intelligently during his reign, making England one of the strongest countries at the time.Thomas Becket and the newly crowned King Henry II met in 1154, which were introduced by the archbishop at the time, which was Theobold (Wilson, 433). With their similar personal chemistries, they developed a strong bond. Shortly after a few years, in 1162 the archbishop Theobold died (Alexander, 125). At that time Henry immediately saw the opportunity to increase his influence over the Church by naming his loyal advisor to the highest ecclesiastical post in the land. Becket was ordained a Bishop, and that afternoon, June 2, 1162, was made Archbishop of Canterbur...
