The Angevin Empire

What was the Angevin Empire?

From 1154 until around 1204, England was part of the Angevin Empire, ruled by Henry II and his sons.

Where was the Angevin Empire?

The Angevin Empire comprised lands ruled by Henry II and his sons. The empire stretched from Scotland to the Pyrenees, and included around half of modern France.

How did the Angevin Empire develop?

Henry II gained control of the lands in his empire by different means.

• ❖ He became count of Anjou on the death of his father, Count Geoffrey.
• ❖ He claimed England through his mother, who was the daughter of Henry I. He reached an agreement with King Stephen that he would be Stephen's heir, and became king in 1154.
• ❖ He gained Aquitaine, a large area in southern France, through his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine.
• ❖ He gained other areas, such as Brittany and Maine, through conquest or through deals he made with those areas' rulers.

Who did the Angevin Empire trade with?

As part of a continental empire, England benefitted from economic and cultural trade.

• ❖ England was able to trade with large areas of France, from Normandy in the north to Aquitaine in the south. This developed England's economy.
• ❖ England imported culture from all over France, including art, literature, and ways of behaviour. These affected the nobles primarily, but created a 'court culture' that continued throughout the medieval period.

How did the Angevin Empire end?

The Angevin Empire began to collapse during the reign of King John (1199-1216). He lost many of the French lands of the empire, including Normandy, which led to England's isolation, and the development of English identity.

Why was the Angevin Empire significant?

These are some of the ways in which the Angevin Empire was significant.

• ❖ Becoming part of the Angevin Empire brought England into a large, continental empire. This increased trade and cultural exchange with France.
• ❖ England was now part of a strong empire, whose rulers were amongst the most powerful in Europe.
• ❖ Under the Angevin Empire, England took control of Ireland, which the kings of England continued to control until the 20th century.