Aethelred II, "The Unready", King of England
He succeeded to the throne after the murder of his half-brother, Edward II, the Martyr, at the age of ten. His reign was plagued by poor advice from his personal favorites and suspicions of his complicity in Edward's murder. His was a rather long and ineffective reign, which was notable for little other than the payment of the Danegeld, an attempt to buy off the Viking invaders with money. The relentless invasions by the Danish Vikings, coupled with their ever-escalating demands for more money, forced him to abandon his throne in 1013. He fled to Normandy for safety, but was later recalled to his old throne at the death of Svein Forkbeard in 1014. He died in London in 1016.
Geoffrey V The Fair Plantagenet, Count of Anjou And Maine
Burke says the marriage was 3 Apr 1127. The name Plantagenet, according to
Rapin, came from when Fulk the Great being stung from remorse for some wicked
action, in order to atone for it, went a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and was
scourged before the Holy Sepulchre with broom twigs. Earlier authorities say
it was because Geoffrey bore a branch of yellow broom (Planta-genistae) in
his helm.
Duke of Normandy 1144-1150.
Henry II Curtmantle FitzEmpress, King of England
Reigned 1154-1189. He ruled an empire that stretched from the Tweed to the
Pyrenees. In spite of frequent hostitilties with the French King his own
family and rebellious Barons (culminating in the great revolt of 1173-74) and
his quarrel with Thomas Becket, Henry maintained control over his possessions
until shortly before his death. His judicial and administrative reforms which
increased Royal control and influence at the expense of the Barons were of
great constitutional importance. Introduced trial by Jury. Duke of Normandy.
Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duchess of Aquitaine
Other sources say she died 26 Jun 1202 and she was born Chateau de Belin.
Burke thinks she died 1162.
Countess of Saintonge, Angoumois, Limousin, Auvergne, Bordeaux, Agen.
John I Lackland, King of England
Reigned 1199-1216. Signed Magna Carta in 1215 at Runnymede.
His reign saw renewal of war with Phillip II Augustus of France to whom he has
lost several continental possesions including Normandy by 1205. He came into
conflict with his Barons and was forced to Sign the Magna Carta. His later
repudiation of the charter led to the first barons war 1215-17 during which
John died. Burke says he was born in 1160.
King of Ireland 1177, Count of Mortain 1189, Earl of Gloucester.
Isabella of Angoulême Taillefer, Queen of England
She was betrothed to Hugh before she married John. After John's death she
retired to her native city and eventually married Hugh after about 3 years.
Countess of Angoulême 1202.