A subjective question of course but I have been reading up on Henry the second and whoa, that is an interesting story.
The amount of turmoil, backstabbings and belligerence this King had to deal with is insane. Every waking moment he was fighting something, even his own wife and children betrayed him.

He was a leader, a warrior, an engineer "castle builder" a diplomat, this guy was everything.

And he more or less beat them all until he died after a long rule.

Henry II
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I like Richard the Lionheart myself. He is in many ways the epitome of the warrior king and not only fighting valiantly against Saladin while under very challenging circumstances, but also fought off and repelled Philip Augustus at home. Not only was he a fearsome warrior personally, but he was one of the greatest generals of the 12th century. Although he is often criticized either for his appointment in the regents while on crusade, or for having less financial acumen than his father, it is telling that his kingdom did not fall apart while he was away for a prolonged period of time. True, Richard had lots of help, but how many other kings could be away from their realm for so long and still return to find things intact? To me, Richard is the epitome of the medieval king.

Does Eleanor of Aquitaine count, because she'd get my vote hands down.

She was one hell of a person, in any age.

Failing that, King John, if for nothing else a study in how not to rule.

Bear in mind that portrait of HII was done hundreds of years after his death and probably looks nothing like him at all.

John Lackland himself is a bit underrated. He had some ideas that are strikingly modern for his era, but unfortunately he didn't really seem to have any idea about how to implement them without angering his nobles....

I'm fascinated with Edward IV, who was the King of England on the York side of the war of the roses.

He never lost a battle, and seems to be a competent leader in many ways. He was also a student of history himself and was Richard III's older brother.

I'm fascinated with Edward IV, who was the King of England on the York side of the war of the roses.

He never lost a battle, and seems to be a competent leader in many ways. He was also a student of history himself and was Richard III's older brother.

the ones that stick in my mind are
Henry V
Edward III 'the black prince'
and Edward I 'the longshanks'
as well as Richard the first, Richard is arguably the most famous English king of all time after king arthur, thanks in part to his role in the tales of robin hood.

I regard Edward III as the most interesting Plantagenet. You are right about Eleonor but his reign over 50 years was full of change in the English society e.g. from the french/norman nobility that changed to english, the history of parliament with the house of commons coming into existence and the unbelievable Hundred Years War most of all. He founded the Order of the Garter, held great tournaments, was at war through nearly all of his reign and the much he was liked for his huge ambitions and his embodiment of most chivalrous monarch, he devestated his countries finances on the atempt to take over the thrones of france and scotland. The unity among his children and the quarrels between their children determined Englands history for the next century. He was king in a time of great change in society, military and politics and devstating hardship like the wars and the black death.