Henry the Young King, 1155-1183

Description

This first modern study of Henry the Young King, eldest son of Henry II but the least known Plantagenet monarch, explores the brief but eventful life of the only English ruler after the Norman Conquest to be created co-ruler in his father’s lifetime. Crowned at fifteen to secure an undisputed succession, Henry played a central role in the politics of Henry II’s great empire and was hailed as the embodiment of chivalry. Yet, consistently denied direct rule, the Young King was provoked first into heading a major rebellion against his father, then to waging a bitter war against his brother Richard for control of Aquitaine, dying before reaching the age of thirty having never assumed actual power. In this remarkable history, Matthew Strickland provides a richly colored portrait of an all-but-forgotten royal figure tutored by Thomas Becket, trained in arms by the great knight William Marshal, and incited to rebellion by his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, while using his career to explore the nature of kingship, succession, dynastic politics, and rebellion in twelfth-century England and France. Contents Illustrations Maps Preface A Note on Terms and Currency Abbreviations Chapter 1. A Forgotten King? Chapter 2. Born in the Purple: Early Childhood and Infant Marriage, 1155–1160 Chapter 3. Rex Puer: Coronation Plans and Associative Kingship, 1161–1163 Chapter 4. Training for Kingship, 1163–1169 Chapter 5. Novus Rex: The Coronation, 1170 Chapter 6. The Regent and the Martyr, 1170–1172 Chapter 7. ‘A King Without a Kingdom’ The Seeds of War, 1172–1173 Chapter 8. ‘The Cubs of the Roaring Lion Shall Awaken’ The Outbreak of War, 1173 Chapter 9. Invasion the Onslaught Renewed, 1174 Chapter 10. A Fragile Peace, 1175–1177 Chapter 11. Apogee: King of the Tournament, 1177–1182 Chapter 12. Keeping the Balance of Power France, 1178–1182 Chapter 13. The Brothers’ War, 1183 Chapter 14. Vir Sanctus: Death, Commemoration and Legacy Notes Bibliography Index