Henry II (England)

Henry II of England, who ruled from 1154 to 1189, was a significant monarch known for expanding and consolidating royal power. He established common legal practices, laying the groundwork for England's legal system. Henry is also remembered for his conflicts with Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, over the balance of church and state power. His reign saw the expansion of English territory in France, known as the Angevin Empire. Additionally, Henry II was the father of several notable royal figures, including Richard the Lionheart and King John, who later became famous for signing the Magna Carta.