The Angevin Empire
The Anglo-French Conflict
One of the longest standing conflicts in Europe was the fight to dominate the North Atlantic between France and England. Wars were fought across Europe, India and North America between the English and French as they clashed over world domination.
While the Anglo-French story began when William the Conqueror invaded Saxon England, it was the rise of the Angevin Empire that would lock France and England into a centuries long conflict.
Henry II
Birth of the Angevin Empire
The Angevin Empire was born out of a series of hereditary titles and marriage alliances. Henry II was made Duke of Normandy after a brief civil war between the supporters of his claim and those of his opponents. Henry later asserted his rights as count of Anjou, and then married the duchess of Aquitaine, Eleanor. This made his holdings in France greater than that of the king of France.