Description

Henry was born in Winchester in 1207, the son of King John and his wife Isabella of Angouleme. With John’s death in 1215, Henry inherited the English throne at 9 years of age. Due to his youth, several powerful barons exerted substantial pressure on the young King’s throne. Henry eventually married Eleanor of Provence with whom he had five children.
Henry was not a popular king, and among his policies was extremely harsh treatment of the Jewish community in England. Among the various coups against the King was one by Baron Simon de Montford who seized power and imprisoned the King. Henry’s eldest son Edward mounted a counter-coup, defeating de Montford and freeing his father.
Henry died in 1272, leaving his son Edward as his successor. Remarkably, despite Henry’s limitations as King, his eldest son and successor Edward became one of England’s greatest kings.