Key learning points

1. Henry announced how his empire would be divided upon his death in an attempt to secure peace and stability.
2. Henry’s sons did not want to wait for future power; they wanted power now.
3. Henry's wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, conspired with their sons in revolt against Henry.
4. Henry’s sons continued to rebel during the last years of his reign.
5. Henry’s succession planning had been a disaster.

Keywords

• Succession - succession is the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else

• Revolt - to revolt is to rebel or take violent action against a ruler

• Conspire - to conspire is to secretly plot or plan together

• Regent - a regent is a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent or too young, too ill

• Heir - an heir is a person who expects to inherit the property or position of another when that person dies

Common misconception