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King Henry II

(1133-1189), Reigned 1154-89

Sitter associated with 22 portraits
The first of the House of Plantagenet to rule England. The grandson of Henry I through his daughter Matilda, Henry invaded England in 1153 and under pressure from public opinion and the death of his heir King Stephen was forced to name Henry as his successor. He was crowned Henry II in 1154 and after years of civil war and unstable government he was quick to restore order with the aid of his talented chancellor Thomas Beckett. Domestic rivalries between Henry's four sons proved more difficult to combat. Their wrangling - culminating in a great rebellion against their father in 1173 - is said to have hounded Henry to a premature death.

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Called King Henry II, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D9381

Called King Henry II

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, originally published 1618
NPG D9381

Called King Henry II, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D9380

Called King Henry II

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, published 1638
NPG D9380

King Stephen; King Henry II (fictitious portraits), probably by William Faithorne, published by  Sir Robert Peake - NPG D22801

King Stephen; King Henry II (fictitious portraits)

probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22801

King Henry II, published by Sir Robert Peake, probably after  William Faithorne - NPG D21017

King Henry II

published by Sir Robert Peake, probably after William Faithorne
etching, early 1640s
NPG D21017

King Henry II, by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after  Edward Lutterell (Luttrell) - NPG D23628

King Henry II

by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Edward Lutterell (Luttrell)
line engraving, possibly early 18th century
NPG D23628

King Henry II, after Unknown artist - NPG D23629

King Henry II

after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D23629

King Henry II, after Unknown artist - NPG D42449

King Henry II

after Unknown artist
etching, 18th century
NPG D42449

King Henry II, by Unknown artist - NPG D20195

King Henry II

by Unknown artist
etching, early 18th century
NPG D20195

The Sovereigns of England, part 1, by John Carwitham, printed and published by  Richard Caldwell, after  Unknown artist - NPG D34141

The Sovereigns of England, part 1

by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34141

King Henry II, by George Vertue - NPG D23630

King Henry II

by George Vertue
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D23630

King Henry II, by George Vertue - NPG D20021

King Henry II

by George Vertue
line engraving, engraved 1734
NPG D20021

King Henry II and Thomas Becket, by Joseph Strutt, after  Unknown artist - NPG D42450

King Henry II and Thomas Becket

by Joseph Strutt, after Unknown artist
etching, late 18th century
NPG D42450

King Henry II, by L. How, after  Unknown artist - NPG D9379

King Henry II

by L. How, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1789
NPG D9379

King Henry II, by Charles Alfred Stothard - NPG D9382

King Henry II

by Charles Alfred Stothard
coloured lithograph, published 1818 (1816)
NPG D9382

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