Henry the Young King

Henry the Young King was born on February 28, 1155, in London, as the second son of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. After the death of his elder brother William in 1156, he was regarded as his father's successor in England, Normandy, and Anjou. In 1158, at just three years old, he was betrothed to Margaret, daughter of Louis VII of France, with the Vexin region as her dowry. He was crowned king on June 14, 1170, at Westminster by Archbishop Roger of York, which intensified the dispute between his father and Thomas Becket.

Henry the Young King received no actual power from his father and was frustrated by this lack of autonomy. In 1173, he joined his mother and brothers in a revolt against Henry II, which failed. He was forgiven but continued to intrigue against his father with Louis VII of France. Between 1182 and 1183, he engaged in conflict with his brother Richard over Poitou, preparing for further battles when he died.

Henry the Young King was known for his participation in tournaments across northern and central France. His celebrity status was bolstered by his patronage of these events, which he attended with a large retinue of knights. His contemporaries, including the troubadour Bertran de Born, lamented his death, which they saw as a loss to chivalry and knightly endeavors.

Henry the Young King died of dysentery on June 11, 1183, in Martel, Quercy, France, at the age of 28, and was buried in Rouen Cathedral, Normandy. As he predeceased his father, he was succeeded by his brother Richard as the heir to the English throne.