Henry II :: European Europe History

Henry IIDefend or disagree this bidding Henry was little more than a child himself, therefore he was a weak and ineffectual king. I disagree with this statement. Henry II defeated Stephen of Bloiss armies in 1153 and compelled the king to choose him as his successor. Upon Stephens death in 1154, Henry II became king at the age of twenty-one. His energy was equaled only by his ambition and intelligence. Henry II survived wars, rebellion, and controversy to successfully loom one of the Middle Ages most powerful soils. During his reign Henry II instituted important judicial reforms, establishing a centralized system of justice. He began the help of replacing the old trial by ordeal with modern flirt procedures. Henry II is considered the father of the English law system and numerous of his practices are still followed today. Henry II ruled a kingdom that stretched from the Scottish border to the Pyrenees. He refined Norman government and created a capable, self-standing bureaucra cy. These are not the acts of a weak child , but of a powerful and most effective kings. 2. Who was the smarter of the two, Henry or Thomas? How do you know? Offer evidence to back up your answer. I think that Henry II and Thomas were both intelligent men, and both contend a large part in shaping history. I do believe that Thomas became a man of integrity and kept his priorities immediately in his homage to both his country and his Church. When the two came in conflict, he correctly chose to obey the Church. He stood up for what he believed and more than that he stood up for God. He is an example for all, he did not compromise his allegiance to his beliefs and morals. His