Middle Ages

Henry II the first 'Plantegenet' king

Dec 19, 1154

The day of Henry II's accesion and coranation. He was not only the king of England but also ruled most of Wales, Normandy, Anjou, Gascony and other parts of France that was aquired through his marrige to Enlenor of Aquitaine. Henry, son of Empress of Matilda, established stability civil war after between his mother and her rival Stephen. He asserted his athority over the barons and enforeced law and governce. Regular financial rolls of government began in his reigen.

Henry II is crowned king

Dec 19, 1154

Henry came to the throne aged nine. At the time, a French force had invaded with the intention of unseating his father, John. With John dead, the rebellious barons who had encouraged French aid, saw the young king as the safer option. Many rejoined the royal cause and eventually the French were defeated at Lincoln in 1217.

Henry II visits Ireland to assert his overloadship

Oct 1, 1171

Not being able to help Diarmat Mac Murchada, the exiled king of Leinster, reganis his kindom, Henry directed him towrds Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke that is known as 'strongbow'. In 1169 - 1170, Strongbow and his followers took Wexford, Waterford and Dublin. He then married Mac Murchada's daughter, allowing stinghold to claim the throne of Leinster when the died. Nearly all the kings of Ireland came to submit to Henry.

File ravages Catebury Cathedral

Jan 1, 1174

The Catebury Cathedral had to be rebuilt due to the damages caused by fire. The first master of works was a Frenchman, William of Sens planned a structure of the new gothic style. It was a turning point in English cathedral architecture and provided the basis for the greatest shrine in medieval Britain.

Henry II dies and is succeeded by Richard I

Jul 6, 1189

Henry II and his wife Eleanor had five sons, who squabbled among themselves and with their parents about who would inherit which part of Henry's kingdom. Ruchard, Henry II's oldest son became king when his father Henry II died.

France invades England support of rebel and John dies

Jan 1, 1216

The Magna Carta of 1215 did not prevent fighting between rebel barons and John. The French king, Philip Augustus, sent his son, Louis, to assist the English rebels. Initially the French force was very successful, but when John suddenly died in October 1216 and his nine-year-old son was hastily crowned Henry III, the barons reconsidered.

Henry III begins to rebuild Westminister Abbey

Jan 1, 1245

The first abbey at Westminster was built by Edward the Confessor in the 1040s in the Romanesque style. Henry III ordered the rebuilding of the abbey in a Gothic style, with a central shrine to honour Edward the Confessor.

Henry II dies and succeeded by his son Edward

Nov 20, 1272

Edward left to fight in the crusades, but on hearing of his father's death he immediately returned to England. He was crowned in August 1274.

Edward I dies and is succeded by his son Edward II

Jul 7, 1307

In 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned king of Scotland in defiance of Edward I, who died while on his way north to reassert his authority. Edward II was very different from his father, more interested in entertainment. Two years after Edward's accession, he married Isabella, dughter of the french king.

Edward II murdered and is succeeded to his son III

Oct 25, 1327

Following the invasion led by his wife, Isabella, Edward II abdicated in favour of his son. He was later murdered at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire on the orders of Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer.

Edward III siezes sontrol of the throne from his mother, Isabella

Jan 1, 1330

Edward III was just 14 when he became king. His father, Edward II, was forced to abdicate by his mother, Isabella, and her lover Roger Mortimer. In 1330, Edward seized control, executing Mortimer and forcing Isabella to retire. He would go on to rule for 50 years.

Edward III dies and succeeded by Richard at Smithfeild, London

Jun 15, 1381

In the aftermath of the catastrophic Black Death, agricultural workers were in demand but landlords were reluctant to pay higher wages or allow migration for work. Coupled with heavy taxation and an unpopular government, it caused an uprising. The rebels converged on London. The Tower of London was stormed and prominent individuals were executed.

Henry Tudor defeats Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth

Aug 22, 1485

After the disappearance of the 'Princes in the Tower' and a failed rebellion by Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, in 1483, opposition to Richard III now focused on the best available Lancastrian claimant, Henry Tudor. In 1485, Tudor raised an army in Wales. The opposing armies of York and Lancaster met for the final time at Bosworth, where Richard III was killed. In January 1486, Tudor married Elizabeth of York, uniting the two houses and ending the Wars of the Roses.