ABSTRACT
About a decade before his death Henry II decided to divide his territories among his four sons. The eldest, named Henry like his father, had already been crowned as heir and joint ruler in England. He was also to be duke of Normandy. Richard was to have Aquitaine and neighboring lands in southern France. Geoffrey was to hold Brittany. Because there was nothing left for the youngest son, he was sometimes called John Lackland. In fact Henry II hoped that John would assume the rule of Ireland. The old king intended to set up a sort of federated monarchy in which he would retain overall authority while passing direct regional rule on to his descendants.
