Origins of the Plantagenet Dynasty
The Plantagenets originated from the French House of Anjou, and their name comes from the nickname "Plantagenet," which refers to the sprig of broom (Planta Genista) that Geoffrey of Anjou, the father of the first Plantagenet king, Henry II, wore in his cap. Geoffrey’s marriage to Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I of England, set the stage for the family’s rise to power. Upon the death of Henry I in 1135, a succession crisis ensued, leading to a civil war known as The Anarchy, between Matilda and Stephen of Blois, Henry I’s nephew. Although Matilda’s cause was ultimately unsuccessful in her lifetime, her son, Henry Plantagenet, succeeded in 1154 as King Henry II, founding the Plantagenet dynasty.
Consolidation of Power Under Henry II
Henry II’s reign (1154–1189) marked the beginning of the Plantagenets’ efforts to consolidate and expand royal power. His immediate task was to resolve the issues left unresolved by the Anarchy, primarily the control over England and its territories in France. Henry’s marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152 significantly increased his holdings, granting him control over vast territories in France. The combined holdings of England and large parts of France were instrumental in shaping the Plantagenet kingdom.
Henry’s legal and administrative reforms played a crucial role in consolidating royal power. He sought to centralize justice by strengthening the royal court system and creating a network of royal judges who traveled across the kingdom. This development is often considered a precursor to the common law system, which became a defining feature of English legal tradition. Additionally, Henry's attempts to control the powerful nobles, though not without resistance, were key in curbing feudal fragmentation. shutdown123