HENRY

II., King of England, was the first of the Plantage net line. He reigned prosperously till the contest with Thomas Becket about the Constitution of Clarendon. He had large French po e ions, and in 1171 completed the conquest of Ireland, while in 1173 he captured William of Scotland. He was a great soldier and statesman. He partitioned England into four judiciary districts, and appointed Itinerant Justices to make excursions through them, and he revived trial by jury. He had a keen sense of justice, which he exercised for the permanent good of his country.