Recommended read
Henry II
W. L. Warren
Warren's Yale biography remains the standard life of the Angevin empire-builder.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Alfonso VIII of Castile
Spain
1158–1214
Afonso I of Portugal
Portugal
1139–1185
Alfonso II of Aragon
Spain
1164–1196
Frederick Barbarossa
Holy Roman Empire
1155–1190
Knut Eriksson
Sweden
1173–1196; 1173–1195
Louis VII of France
France
1137–1180
Emperor Shizong of Jin
China
1161–1189
Emperor Xiaozong of Song
China
1162–1189
Manuel I Komnenos
Rome
1143–1180
Alfonso VII of Castile
Spain
1126–1157
William the Lion
Scotland
1165–1214
Karl Sverkersson
Sweden
1161–1167
Sancho I of Portugal
Portugal
1185–1211
Saint Erik
Sweden
1156–1160
Pope Alexander III
Papacy
1159–1181
Philip II of France
France
1180–1223
Emperor Takakura
Japan
1168–1180
Malcolm IV of Scotland
Scotland
1153–1165
Emperor Gaozong of Song
China
1127–1129; 1129–1162
Wanyan Liang
China
1150–1161
Isaac II Angelos
Rome
1185–1195; 1203–1204
Emperor Nijō
Japan
1158–1165
Emperor Go-Toba
Japan
1183–1198
Alexios II Komnenos
Rome
1180–1183
Andronikos I Komnenos
Rome
1183–1185
Emperor Antoku
Japan
1180–1185
Pope Adrian IV
Papacy
1154–1159
Pope Lucius III
Papacy
1181–1185
Emperor Go-Shirakawa
Japan
1155–1158
Emperor Rokujō
Japan
1165–1168
Pope Urban III
Papacy
1185–1187
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Go deeper on Henry II of England
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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