The date is September 1174. The Great Revolt is over. Henry knows that it won't be long before it kicks off again so he decides to apply for another job. Just in case this King lark doesn't work out.

He had in fact been kicked in the thigh by a horse at this point in the year. But then he was known to live in the saddle and ride very fast so it's not really a surprise. He was truely passionate about governance and law reform (as well as falconry). He was called Henry the Peacemaker and used the techniques played out in the podcast.

The Epiphany story is also true. He did get rid of over a thousand unofficial castles and confiscated land. His time did see the invention of the chirograph and delegated powers so that courts could run without his presence. He didn't like pomp and ceremony and his big issue was that canon law gave too much freedom to those working within the church especially 'benefit of the clergy'. Hence the problem with Thomas Becket. Who really had never been religious before he was appointed Archbishop. Talk about being promoted above your pay grade.

The cloak story is true. His family really did stab him in the back and he was betrayed several times by not only his wife but his children. Poor chap never did get his statue outside Parliament.

If you want to find out more about Henry, check out the sources and places below:

The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England - Dan Jones

Penguin Monarchs Series: Henry II - Richard Barber

The Restless Kings: Henry II, His Sons and the Wars for the Plantagenet Crown - Nick Barratt

The English Monarchs Series: Henry II - W.L Warren

King of the North Wind: The Life of Henry II in Five Acts - Claudia Gold