King Henry II of England, who reigned from 1154 to 1189, was a significant monarch known for his efforts to strengthen the royal authority and reform the legal system. He established the common law, which laid the foundation for the English legal system, and introduced the jury system. His reign marked the beginning of the Plantagenet dynasty, which would rule England for several centuries. Henry II was also notable for his conflicts with the Church, particularly with Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Their disputes over the rights and privileges of the Church led to Becket's murder in 1170, which caused a scandal and strained relations between the monarchy and the Church.