ABSTRACT
The accession of Henry II to the throne of England opened a new chapter in French history which was to cover half a century. The Angevin Empire, occupying practically the western half of France, divided the kingdom into two: an unequal division, for of only part of the eastern half was the French king the actual ruler. The chief cause of the events which led to the murder of Becket was the coronation of the young Henry as king of England; Becket’s retaliation on the bishops who had violated his rights by performing the ceremony brought about Henry’s fatal outburst. The harmony in the English royal family was only temporary, but it lasted for the rest of Louis’ reign. Richard proved himself a most efficient lieutenant in Aquitaine, reducing it to an order unknown before; thus early he displayed his military genius by the speed with which he crushed the unruly vassals of his province and destroyed their castles.
