Planting the Planta Genesta the short list of illegitimate offspring   Henry I of England Henry had at least 8 acknowledged mistresses (now we see where Longshanks got his prowess). Paternity of 4 of his children has been disputed, but he acknowledged all of them for a smashing grand total of 25. Pity 3 of his 4 legitimate children died young, opening the door for civil unrest after Henry's death.   Robert II of Scotland This 1st Stewart king, grandson of Robert the Bruce, not only had 14 children from his two marriages, but was purported to be the sire of at least 20 illegitimate offspring. Known as "Auld Blearie" (bleary-eyed from his amorous adventures, no doubt), he had to enact a special statute outlining the succession due to this plethora of progeny. It didn't take, mainly due to the degree of affinity between the king & his 1st wife, whose children were legitimacized by papal dispensation & squabbled incessantly with the children of the 2nd wife.   Charles II of England Ah, the Merry Monarch! While his marriage to Catherine of Braganza resulted in 3 stillbirths & a miscarriage, raising the curtain of history for Bonnie Prince Charlie, his 8 acknowledged mistresses gave him 16 braw young Stuarts. Actress Nell Gwyn was the mother of 2 of these, while the infamous Castlemaine, Barbara Villiers, laid claim to 6 (while acknowledged by Charles, the last one's paternity was disputed).   Henry II of England Explains Eleanor's motivation in siding with her cubs to overthrow him. His 5 acknowledged mistresses produced a total of 12 royal offspring, the most famous of which, William Longchamp, became Richard I's trusted chancellor. Ahh, brotherly love. A rare thing in this dysfunctional family.   John of England Lackland didn't lack for female companionship despite rumours that he regularly fell into colossal fits of carpet-gnawing rage. This youngest of Henry & Eleanor's brood acknowledged a full dozen illegitimate offspring. He also had an additional 5 with his 2nd wife, Isabella d'Angouleme (who went on to marry Hugh de Lusignan after John's death & spawn 11 more).