Henry II´s empire

Before he became king of England in 1154, Henry II already ruled part of France. Henry's father was Geoffrey, the count of Anjou and Maine. Like most great lords, he spent much of his time at war. In 1150, Geoffrey conquered Normandy, and gave it to Henry. When Geoffrey died in 1151, Henry got Anjou and Maine.

Henry's wife, Eleanor, brought him Aquitaine as well. Eleanor was the heiress of the duke of Aquitaine. This meant that she was the only daughter of the last duke, and that he had no sons. When he died, all the duke's land (most of south-west France) went to Eleanor's husband.

Later, Henry´s third son, another Geoffrey, married the heiress of the duke of Brittany. So Brittany came under Henry´s rule also. By 1171, Henry was master of half of France. The French king wanted to drive him out. So Henry had to spend most of his time in France, fighting or getting ready for war.

Walter Robson: Medieval Britain; Oxford University Press, 1991/2000, page 12 f.