Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The opening of the text introduces Henry II as he begins his reign in 1154, following the death of King Stephen. It describes his coronation in London and his efforts to consolidate power, including the expulsion of foreign soldiers and confiscation of castles, which had previously been built by private individuals under King Stephen's rule. Additionally, it highlights the birth of his sons and the familial tensions that arise as his younger brother Geoffrey revolts. This portion sets the stage for Henry II's complex relationships with nobles, his ambitious governance, and foreshadows the conflicts with Becket that will shape his later rule. (This is an automatically generated summary.)