Henrih 2 King of England Date of Birth: 05.03.1133 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Henry II of England
2. Judicial Reforms and Military Reforms
3. Foundations of the Legal System
4. Conquest of Ireland

Biography of Henry II of England

Henry II of England, the first king of the Plantagenet dynasty, ascended to the throne after a long feudal turmoil from 1135 to 1153. He restored peace and disbanded the baronial mercenary forces. Alongside his English possessions, Henry II also held extensive territories in France.

Judicial Reforms and Military Reforms

During his reign, Henry II implemented significant judicial reforms that expanded the jurisdiction of royal courts at the expense of feudal courts. He introduced the use of juries in the royal courts, allowing any free person to seek justice by paying a fee. However, his attempts to bring the ecclesiastical courts under royal authority through the Clarendon Constitutions in 1164 were unsuccessful.

Henry II also initiated military reforms, replacing knight service with monetary payments known as scutage. Additionally, he mandated that all free men possess weapons to serve in the king's army when required.

Foundations of the Legal System

Under Henry II, the foundations of the entire judicial-administrative system of the English feudal state were laid. The royal court was divided into the higher royal court and the exchequer, and the English common feudal law began to take shape. These legal reforms established a sharp distinction between the rights of the free and the rights of the serfs, legally entrenching the powerlessness of the latter.

Conquest of Ireland

In 1169, under Henry II's reign, the conquest of Ireland began. This marked a significant expansion of English influence in the region.

Overall, Henry II of England left a lasting impact on the legal and administrative systems of the English feudal state. His reign was characterized by judicial reforms, military reforms, and territorial expansion, shaping the course of English history.