John, King of England

Lore & Background

John's attempt to defeat Philip in 1214 failed because of the French victory over John's allies at the Battle of Bouvines. When he returned to England, John faced a rebellion by many of his barons, who were unhappy with his fiscal policies and his treatment of powerful English nobles. John and the barons agreed to Magna Carta as a peace treaty in 1215. However, neither side complied with its conditions. Civil war erupted shortly afterwards, with the barons aided by Philip's son Louis, and soon descended into a stalemate. Amid the civil war, John died of dysentery in eastern England in late 1216; supporters of his son Henry III went on to achieve victory over Louis and the rebel barons the following year.

Reader's Guide

John's reign is significant primarily for the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215, a document that later became a foundational milestone in English and British constitutional history. His loss of the Duchy of Normandy and most other French lands to Philip II of France ended the Angevin Empire and contributed to the growth of French Capetian power. His judicial reforms had a lasting effect on the English common law system. Contemporary chroniclers were mostly critical of John's performance as king, and his reign has been the subject of significant debate and periodic revision by historians. Modern historians agree he had many faults, including pettiness, spitefulness, and cruelty, but also consider him a hard-working administrator, an able man, and an able general. His negative qualities provided extensive material for fiction writers in the Victorian era, and he remains a recurring character in Western popular culture, primarily as a villain in Robin Hood folklore.

Did You Know?

• John was nicknamed 'Lackland' because, as a younger son, he was not expected to inherit significant lands.
• He grew to around 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) tall with dark red hair.
• He enjoyed reading and built up a travelling library of books, unusual for the period.
• He died of dysentery in eastern England in late 1216 amid a civil war.