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King John and the Magna Carta - Coggle Diagram
King John and the Magna Carta
Why were the Barons unhappy?
King John was bad in battle and lost land in France - John known as 'lackland' and 'softsword'
John repeatedly ignored the demands of the Great Council - barons felt their views were not being respected
They had to pay scutage - high tax on Barons when they didn't fight for John when he asked
Worried about invasions from foreign countries - fall out with the Pope and John had bad relations with the Pope
John struggled to raise enough money to govern and defend the country
King John
Medieval king was meant to
Defend the people by leading an army well
Keep the country peaceful
Successfully deal with rebellions
Maintain good relations with the Church and the Pope
Christianity very important
Fell out with the Pope and barons
John wanted a different Archbishop of Canterbury that would listen to him instead
Pope retaliated by cancelling all church services
Bad in battle
Good religious tolerance and fair justice system
First Baronial War
John quickly went against his word saying he had been forced to sign the Magna Carta
The Pope agreed saying it was invalid
War started in England between the Barons and the King - barons had support of the French (sent troops and money)
Siege of Rochester in 1215 - gave John the upper hand - were able to storm the castle
May 1216 - barons promised Prince Louis of France the throne and he arrives + takes control of most of England (has support of Scottish king)
2 June 1216 - Prince Louis announced (not crowned) King of England
Oct 1216 King John dies
28 Oct 1216 John's son Henry becomes King Henry III and the Magna Carta is reissued - Henry III agrees to the conditions
The Magna Carta
Barons fed up with King John so raised an army against him and occupied London
John met barons on 15 June 1215 to negotiate and had to agree to their demands - needed there support to stay in power
Had to sign the Magna Carta - 63 clauses to stick to
For all freemen
Short term impacts
King John went back on his word - Magna Carta had no immediate effect on society
Peasants and villeins still not free - nothing changed for ordinary people
Only politically powerful (barons, Church, merchants) benefitted
Long term impacts
Introduced idea that the king had certain rules/laws to follow
Eventually people gained their freedom
Kings after John signed similar versions
Viewed as Britain's first steps to becoming a democracy