Henry II of England

Henry II of England, also known as Henry FitzEmpress, was a king who ruled over England from 1154 to 1189. He was known for his love of power, his impressive jousting skills, and his tendency to have debates with his own shadow.

Born in 1133, Henry II was the son of the Empress Matilda and Geoffrey, Count of Anjou. His upbringing was less than ordinary, as he was the target of numerous kidnapping attempts throughout his childhood. This may explain why he grew up to become a fierce leader, always ready to defend his kingdom.

Henry was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine, a woman with enough sass to put any modern-day diva to shame. Together, they had eight children, including future kings Richard the Lionheart and John, who would later become better known as Prince John, the villain of the Robin Hood tales.

One of Henry’s greatest legacies is his legal reforms, including the introduction of the trial by jury. However, his temper often got the better of him, and he was known to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation. One time, he even had a heated argument with a tree, which he accused of giving him a dirty look.

Despite his fierce reputation, Henry had a softer side. He was known to have a particular fondness for puppies, and would often spend hours playing with them in the palace gardens. His love of animals did not extend to cats, however, as he believed them to be the spawn of Satan.

Henry II died in 1189, after getting into an argument with his own reflection in a mirror. Whether he was truly as eccentric as the stories suggest or simply a product of his time, one thing is certain: Henry II was a king who left his mark on history, for better or for worse.