Final answer:
Henry II of England and Philip II of France prioritized domestic issues and nation-building over Crusades. Political and military distractions, as well as a decline in papal authority, contributed to their refusal to answer calls for a Crusade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry II of England and Louis VII and Philip II of France had their reasons for not answering calls for a Crusade. The decline of papal authority, the shift in priorities to domestic policy and nation-state building, as well as political strife at home, particularly in England and France, significantly contributed to this lack of response. During the reign of Henry II and Philip II, there was a rivalry over territories such as Normandy, and internal political conflicts, such as the revolt leading to the Magna Carta in England, absorbed resources and attention. The excommunication of participants by the Pope for engaging in campaigns like the attack on the Christian city of Zara further dampened enthusiasm for crusading. Additionally, the rise of powerful Islamic kingdoms in the Middle East made the prospect of crusades less practical, and a growing focus on internal nation-building overtook the crusading zeal that characterized earlier periods.