Why is Henry II’s collection of territories called the Angevin Empire?

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King Henry II and St. Thomas Becket — Henry II Henry II (left) disputing with Thomas Becket (center), miniature from a 14th-century manuscript; in the British Library (Cotton MS. Claudius D.ii).

The collection of territories ruled by Henry II and his immediate successors is known as the Angevin Empire because Henry’s father was the count of Anjou. Consequently, Henry and his successors—Richard I and John—are referred to as the Angevin kings.1