Henry II of England was born in 1133 and became king in 1154. He is known for establishing a strong central government and expanding his territories, which included parts of France. His reign marked the beginning of the Plantagenet dynasty, and he implemented legal reforms that laid the groundwork for the English common law system. Henry II's rule was also marked by conflicts, particularly with the church and his former friend, Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Their disputes over church authority led to Becket's murder in 1170, which caused a significant backlash against Henry. Despite these challenges, his reign is often seen as a pivotal period in English history.