Figure 1.-- Here is a famous exant painting of Richard II (1367-1400) dating from his reign--showing him at his coronation. It is thought to have been painted when Richard was in his early 20, but the painter obviously wanted to convey the image of a boy king. Here he looks like a teenager, despite the fact the Richard was crowned as a boy of ten. The portrait, painted on wood by an anonymous painter of the fourteenth century, shows Richard in coronation robes with crown, orb, and scepter.

The Plantagenets were also known as the Angevian dynasty. They were one of England's major medieval dynasties, reigning during the late medieval period. The dynasty was founded in the 10th century by the counts of Anjou in France. Anjou was a rich province and played an important eole in medieval European politics. Geoffrey Plantagenent conquered Normandy (1144). His son became king of England as Henry II. He founded the English Plantagenent dynasty. Count Faulk V of Anjou became King of Jerusalem during the crusades. A second Angevian dynasty became the monarchial line in Naples. Some of England's best known medieval kings were Plantagenets. Henry II was a particularly important king. Richard and Jojn were less important, but very well known. Richard was known as Richard the Lion Heart and played a major role in the Crusades. John of course is known as the king that was forced to sign the Magna Carta. The last of the English line was Richard II.

Henry II (1133-89)

Henry II founded the Plantagenet dynasty. With the death of KIng Henry I, a bloody civil war followed between the cousins Stephen and Matilda with competing clains to the crown. Matilda had the better claim, but she was a woman. Stephen was a granson of William I. His mother was Adela, one of William's daughters. Matilda was a daughter, the direct descendent of Henry I. Her broher William had drowned. Matilda was eventually defeated, but the death of Stephen’s only son effectively ended the Norman dynasty. The crown passed to Henry II (1133- ), the son of Matilda and Geoffrey of Anjou. Dynastic rules provide that when a dynasty is passed through a female relative than a new royal house is created--in this case the Plantagenets.

Richard I--the Lion Heart (1189-1199)

Richard was born in Beaumont Palace, Oxford (1157). His father was Henry II Curtmantle, King of England (1133- ), His mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duchess of Aquitaine (about 1122- ). Elenor was popularized by Katherine Hepburn in the classic Hollywood film, "The Lion in Winter", film done wth some historical acuracy. Richard became Duke of Aquitaine (1168) and Duke of Poitiers in (1172). He beame King of Englamd (1189) but actually stayed there only 6 months after becoming king. Richard was most at home in his French possessions and spent little time in England which he looked on as primarily a valuable possession to finance his wars. In English legend he is looked on as a great hero, a brave crusader and fair minded king whose evil brother John tried to ursurp his crown while he fought the infidels as part of the crusades in the Holy Land. There is no doubt that he was a bold military commander. He did in fact play a major role in the Third Crusade (1189- ) with Philip of France. Richard took Messina and Cyprus before arriving in the Holy Land. He married Berengaria of Navarre whilecin Cyprus (1191). They had one child, Philip of Cognac, Lord of Cognac. His brilliant victory at Arsuf against Salladin allowed hin to take Joppa (1191). While the crusades were seen as a valiant and chiverous effort agaijnst the infidels, in fact Richard committed brutal attrocities against captured prisoners and innocent civilians. Returning home he was captured and held ransome in Austria (1192) by an enemny he had made in the crusades. He was released by Emperer Henry VI after payment of a huge ransom collected in England and his French possessions (1194). He returned to England to put down efforts by his brother John to seize the throne. He died in battle at Chalus, Limousin in France (1199).

John (1199-1216)

John was born at Beaumont Palace, Oxford (1167). His father was Henry II Curtmantle, King of England (1133- ), His mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duchess of Aquitaine (about 1122- ). Unlike his brother Richard, John was no great warrior and spent much of his life in England. He became King of Ireland (1177), Count of Mortain (1189), and Earl of Gloucester. Also unlike his brother, John was often a villian in Medieval legend. John acceded to the throne upon the death of his brother (1199). He married Isabella of Angoulême (1200). They had five children: Henry III, King of England, (1207- ), Richard of Cornwall, Earl of Cornwall (1209- ), Joan (1210- ), Isabella (Elizabeth), Empress of Germany (1214- ), and Eeanor (1215- ). He also had several illegitiamte children. Richard had been killed in battle in France defending his French possessions. John was less prone to risk his life in these bruttal battles. As a result he lost several possessions including Normandy to Phillip II Augustus of France (1205). John also faced domestic problems with the English nobility. The English barons forced him to concede the Magna Carta which John signed at Runnymede (1215). The Great Charter was a great concession on his part. It is generally seen as both the foundation of representative government in Britain and by assocuation the Dominions and the United States as well as the fondation of the principle that the king like his people were subject to law. John soon repudiated the charter, resulting in the First Barons War (1215) during which he died (1216). John's reputation was not at all aided by Shakespeare's play "King John".

Henry III

Edward I (1272-1307)

Edward was one of England's most important warrior kings. His imposing presence earned him the name "Longshabks". Edward was the son of Henry III and fought for his father in the Baron's War (1263-67) as was largely resposible for the triumph of the monarchy. Edward thanproceeded to achieve English domination of all Britain. He conquered Wales which had resisted Norman rule. Long costly wars with Scotland followed in the north. At first it looked like Edward's armies could easily dominate Scotland. The English domination of Scotland was brought into question by William Wallace's victory at Stirling Bridge. Edward was also notable for his efforts to regularize the legal system earning him the titled Edward the Lawgiver or the English Justinian. The Sratutes of Westminister were a major step in the devlopment of English law. They restructed the operation of private abd church courts. It also required royal approval for land grants to the Church. It was Edward who expelled the Jews (1290). Edward's need for money was a major factor in his decesion to confiscate Jewish property and expel them. The costly wars in Scotland also played a role in the development of English democracy. Although Edward played a major role in the defeat of the barons militarily, the Model Parliament (1295) called to approve more taxes, resulted in the greater importance of the barons, merchants, and clergy who forced Edward to confirm earlier royal grants such as the Magna Carta. It was the first time the slogan, "No taxation without refresentation" was used in England.

Richard II (1377-99)

Richard II was born in 1367 at Bordeaux, Gascony, France. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales (1330- ). His mother was Plantagenet, Joan "The Fair Maid of Kent", Countess of Kent (1328- ). Richard became king at age 10 in 1377. As a young teenager he put down the Peasants Revolt generated by the the resistance of the yeoman class to give up the economic gains of the labor shortages created by the Plague. He married Anne of Bohemia (1382). He later married Isabella de France (1396- ). They had one child Richard Maudelyn. Struggles with the nobels in Parliamented resulted in Richards's murder in 1399, leading to the War of the Roses. He was deposed in 1399 and murdered in 1400 at Pontefract Castle, Yorkshire.

Shakespere

Created: May 2, 2004
Last updated: 3:20 AM 11/23/2007