Henry's last days were full of bitterness. Ever since his memorable
return from the Continent (S172), he had been obliged to hold the
Queen a prisoner lest she should undermine his power (S171). His sons
were discontented and rebellious. Toward the close of his reign they
again plotted against him with King Philip of FRance. Henry then
declared war against that country.

When peace was made, Henry, who was lying ill, asked to see a list of
those who had conspired against him. At the head of it stood the name
of his youngest son, John, whom he trusted. At the sight of it the
old man turned his face to the wall, saying, "I have nothing left to
care for; let all things go their way." Two days afterward he died of
a broken heart.

178. Summary.

Henry II left his work only half done; yet that half was permanent,
and its beneficent mark may be seen on the English law and the English
constitution at the present time.

When he ascended the throne he found a people who had long been
suffering the miseries of a protracted civil war. He established a
stable government. He redressed the wrongs of his people. He
punished the mutinous barons.

He compelled the Church, at least in some degree, to acknowledge the
supremacy of the State. He reformed the administration of law;
established methods of judicial inquiry which gradually developed into
our modern Trial by Jury; and he made all men feel that a king sat on
the throne who believed in a uniform system of justice and who