28th February

On this day in history, in 1155, Henry 'the Young King' was born to Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Henry was the second eldest of five sons and his father's chosen successor. The eldest son, William, had died in infancy.

Although Henry was crowned King at the age of 15, his father retained his power and is often criticized for not delegating some of the King's duties to his Henry. Henry died in 1183, while campaigning in the Limousin against his father and younger brother Richard. The succession was consequently unstable, and remained so until Richard eventually won out over his brothers Geoffrey and John (though John would succeed Richard).

The troublesome succession is the subject of the film The Lion In Winter.