March 5, 1133

Henry II (March 5, 1133 to July 6, 1189) was the first Plantagenet king of England, and his family ruled a lot of France as well as England. He was not comfortable speaking or reading English though, probably because he was born in Anjou, and French was still the language of the upper class in England. He was literate however, and not all kings were able to read in that era. 

Here is a contemporary description of the king:

The lord king has been red-haired so far, except that the coming of old age and gray hair has altered that color somewhat. His height is medium, so that neither does he appear great among the small, nor yet does he seem small among the great. His head is spherical...his eyes are full, guileless, and dove-like when he is at peace, gleaming like fire when his temper is aroused, and in bursts of passion they flash like lightning. As to his hair he is in no danger of baldness, but his head has been closely shaved. He has a broad, square, lion-like face. Curved legs, a horseman's shins, broad chest, and a boxer's arms all announce him as a man strong, agile and bold... he never sits, unless riding a horse or eating... In a single day, if necessary, he can run through four or five day-marches and, thus foiling the plots of his enemies, frequently mocks their plots with surprise sudden arrivals...Always are in his hands bow, sword, spear and arrow, unless he be in council or in books."

The first nobility in England were physically oriented people who excelled in war and earned favor for their feats. Some say the first royal coat of arms was created in 1154, during the coronation year, of this monarch.  Notice it has a lion. And so did the arms of all subsequent English kings.