Henry, Third Earl of Huntingdon, a Prince of Scotland, of the House of Dunkeld, and an English peer, is the son of King David I of Scotland and Maud, daughter of Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria and Huntingdon, (beheaded 1075), by his spouse Judith of Normandy.

It is said that Henry had been named after his uncle, King Henry I of England.

Earl Henry, who had perhaps been seriously ill in the 1140s, dies unexpectedly at Newcastle or Roxburgh on June 12, 1152, in the Northumbrian domain which David and he had done much to attach to the Scots crown in the decades of English weakness after the death of Henry of England.

Unlike the death of William Adelin in the White Ship, which had left Henry I without male heirs, Earl Henry has three surviving sons.

Thus, although his death damages David's plans, and makes disorders after his death very likely indeed, it is not a disaster.

Eleven-year-old Malcolm, as the eldest of Earl Henry's sons, is sent by his grandfather on a circuit of the kingdom, accompanied by Donnchad, Mormaer of Fife, styled rector, perhaps indicating that he is to hold the regency for Malcolm on David's death.

Donnchad and Malcolm are accompanied by a large army.

William, Henry’s second son, inherits the earldom of Northumberland.

Henry II in 1157 annexes the Scottish earldom of Northumberland inherited by William, the grandson of Scottish king David I.

William the Lion succeeds his elder brother Malcolm IV to the Scottish throne.

In contrast to his deeply religious, frail brother, the redheaded William is powerfully built and headstrong.

He will prove an effective monarch whose reign is marred by his ill-fated attempts to regain control of Northumbria from the Normans.

Northwest Europe (1168–1179 CE): Expansion, Conflict, and Cultural Evolution

England: Legal and Political Reforms

Under Henry II (r. 1154–1189), England experienced notable advances in legal and administrative reform. By 1170, Henry's efforts culminated in significant developments in common law, laying foundations for modern judicial practice. The infamous murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170 by knights loyal to Henry, however, severely tarnished his reputation. Becket's martyrdom sparked widespread outrage and eventually forced Henry into public penance, highlighting tensions between secular and ecclesiastical authority. The Revolt of 1173–74 ended in victory for Henry, who reconciled with his sons and other rebels, consolidating his rule.

Scotland: Further Consolidation under William the Lion

William I of Scotland, known as William the Lion (r. 1165–1214), focused his early reign on solidifying royal authority. In 1174, his support for a rebellion against Henry II of England resulted in his capture and subsequent imprisonment at Falaise in Normandy. Under the Treaty of Falaise (1174), Scotland was temporarily reduced to English vassalage, requiring William to acknowledge Henry as his feudal overlord and transfer several Scottish castles, including Berwick and Edinburgh, to English control. Although humiliating, William's eventual return to Scotland enabled him to strengthen central authority domestically.

Ireland: Norman Incursions and Expanding Influence

Ireland witnessed a significant turning point with the Cambro-Norman invasion initiated in 1169 by Richard de Clare (Strongbow), invited by the exiled king of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada. This invasion, originating from Wales, marked the beginning of sustained Anglo-Norman dominance in Ireland. By 1171, English King Henry II himself led an expedition to assert dominance, establishing the Lordship of Ireland as part of his northwest European empire. This period marked profound political and cultural shifts within Ireland, setting the stage for centuries of Anglo-Irish conflict and cooperation.

Denmark: Stability and Expansion under Valdemar I

Valdemar I (the Great) continued consolidating Danish power, stabilizing internal governance after decades of conflict. His reign was characterized by increased influence over the Baltic region, notably demonstrated by successful military campaigns against the pagan Wends. Valdemar promoted the spread of Christianity, aligning closely with the Church to bolster royal authority, thereby stabilizing and strengthening the Danish kingdom.

Norway: Continued Civil Unrest and Royal Strife

Norway remained mired in ongoing internal conflicts, with various claimants vying for royal power. King Magnus V Erlingsson continued his struggle to establish centralized control, supported by influential ecclesiastical and aristocratic factions. The era was marked by intermittent violence and limited progress towards stable governance.

Iceland and the North Atlantic: Cultural Flourishing

In Iceland, cultural and literary traditions continued to flourish. The Althing provided stable governance, preserving local autonomy and maintaining continuity in societal practices. The literary corpus continued to grow, with Icelandic sagas and historical writings capturing regional culture and preserving the memories of past generations.

Religious and Cultural Expansion

Monasticism continued to thrive throughout Northwest Europe, driven primarily by Cistercian and Benedictine orders. New monasteries appeared regularly, playing critical roles in agriculture, education, and the preservation of knowledge. The martyrdom of Thomas Becket, in particular, spurred pilgrimage movements and devotional practices that further strengthened ecclesiastical influence.

Legacy of the Era

By 1179 CE, Northwest Europe had undergone significant political and cultural transformations. England's legal and administrative reforms under Henry II laid enduring governmental foundations, despite ecclesiastical tensions. Scotland and Ireland experienced critical shifts in power dynamics influenced by English and Norman incursions. Denmark enjoyed increased stability and expansion under Valdemar I, while Norway continued to grapple with internal strife. Meanwhile, Iceland remained culturally vibrant and stable, unaffected by broader geopolitical struggles, reinforcing its unique role in preserving the region’s heritage.

The invasion of Ireland, undertaken from Wales by a force of loosely associated Norman knights summoned by the ousted King of Leinster, is the beginning of Anglo-Norman domination of Ireland.

Angevin king Henry II creates the Lordship of Ireland for his northwest European empire.

The Revolt of 1173-74 is a victory for Henry II, whose sons, along with the other rebels in Normandy, England, are reconciled to his rule.

William the Lion signs Treaty of Falaise, under which Henry II maintains hold on his territories and several Scottish castles, including Berwick and Edinburgh, are transferred to him.

Scotland’s William the Lion, resentful of his predecessor’s loss of Northumberland to the English, allies with France in 1168 after quarreling with England’s Henry II.

The Revolt of 1173–1174: Henry II’s Sons Rebel

By 1173, Henry II of England ruled England, Normandy, and Anjou, while his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, controlled the vast Duchy of Aquitaine. Their four legitimate sons—Henry the Young King, Richard (later "the Lionheart"), Geoffrey, and John ("Lackland")—all stood to inherit parts of this empire, creating tensions over succession and power.

When Henry II decided to bequeath three castles—which were supposed to be part of Henry the Young King’s inheritance—to his youngest son John, tensions within the Plantagenet family erupted into open rebellion.

The Young King's Grievances and the Spark of Rebellion

• Henry the Young King, 18 years old in 1173, was widely admired for his charm and good looks, but he lacked real power or resources, despite being officially crowned King of England in 1170.
• He had been married for years to Margaret of France, the daughter of Louis VII, making him the son-in-law of the French king.
• However, Henry’s father refused to grant him any real authority, keeping him in a ceremonial role without independent rule.
• The final insult came when Henry II granted three castles to his youngest son, John, as part of John’s proposed marriage to the daughter of the Count of Maurienne.

Encouraged by discontented nobles, the Young King fled to the court of Louis VII in March 1173, seeking support to forcibly claim his inheritance.

Formation of the Anti-Henry II Alliance

• Louis VII of France immediately backed his son-in-law, seizing the opportunity to weaken Henry II.
• Henry's younger brothers, Richard and Geoffrey, soon joined the rebellion, hoping to secure their own inheritances.
• Their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who had long feuded with Henry II, attempted to join her sons but was captured by Henry II and imprisoned.
• The rebels forged a broad alliance, promising lands and wealth to powerful nobles:
  • The Counts of Flanders, Boulogne, and Blois were promised land and revenues in England and Anjou.
  • William the Lion, King of Scotland, was promised Northumberland, giving him a reason to invade England.

This rebellion effectively sought to break apart Henry II’s empire, dividing it among his sons and their allies.

The Stakes and Consequences

• This was not just a family dispute—it became a major European conflict, as it involved:
  • The King of France.
  • The rulers of Flanders, Boulogne, Blois, and Scotland.
  • A large number of discontented English and Angevin barons.
• The rebels aimed to carve up Henry II’s realm, redistributing power among his sons and their allies.
• The rebellion would rage across England and France, marking one of the greatest challenges to Henry II’s rule.

Though Henry II would eventually suppress the revolt, it exposed the fragility of his empire and foreshadowed further conflicts among his sons, culminating in decades of internal Plantagenet strife.

The Coordinated Invasion of Henry II’s Lands (April 1173)

1. Eastern Front: The Counts of Flanders and Boulogne Attack Normandy

   • The Count of Flanders and Matthew, Count of Boulogne, launched an invasion from the east, attempting to seize Normandy’s borders.
   • Failure: The attack was repelled, and Count Matthew of Boulogne was killed in battle, weakening the rebel coalition.

2. Southern Front: Louis VII and Henry the Young King Invade Normandy

   • Louis VII and the Young King attacked from the south, hoping to drive Henry II out of Normandy.
   • Failure: Henry II’s forces defeated the French army, forcing Louis VII to retreat and abandon the campaign.

3. Western Front: Breton Rebellion

   • The Bretons, already resentful of Henry II’s seizure of their duchy, launched an attack from the west.
   • Failure: Henry II’s forces routed the Bretons with heavy casualties, crushing their rebellion in Brittany.

4. Northern Front: William the Lion Invades England

   • William the Lion, King of Scotland, launched raids into northern England, attempting to capitalize on the Anglo-Norman civil war.
   • Failure: His attacks failed to gain significant ground, and his forces suffered setbacks against English defenses.

Failed Negotiations Between Henry II and His Rebel Son

• After the rebel coalition suffered defeats, Henry II attempted to negotiate with his son, Henry the Young King, in Normandy.
• However, the talks broke down, as Henry the Young King and his allies were not ready to abandon the revolt.
• Instead of surrendering, the rebels sought alternative strategies, preparing for a renewed campaign against Henry II.

Impact of the Early Battles

• Henry II’s military success kept his empire intact, forcing the rebels to regroup and seek new opportunities.
• The death of Count Matthew of Boulogne weakened the rebel alliance, depriving them of key leadership.
• Despite these setbacks, the rebellion was far from over, as Henry the Young King and his allies continued plotting their next move.

While the initial phase of the war ended in Henry II’s favor, the rebels were still determined to fight, ensuring that the conflict would continue into 1174.

William the Lion, king of the Scots, had inherited the title of Earl of Northumbria in 1152, but had had to relinquish this title in 1157 to King Henry II of England.

He will spend much of his reign trying to regain his lost territory.

Seeing his opportunity while Henry II is occupied in fighting against his sons in the Revolt of 1173–1174, William invades Northumbria in 1173.

He advances on Newcastle but finds the partly-built stone castle too strong to allow him to take the town.

William also attacks Prudhoe Castle but finds the defenses too strong.

Unwilling to undertake a lengthy siege, he returns to Scotland.