King John and the Magna Carta

John had ruled England while John had ruled England while his elder brother King Richard his elder brother King Richard (the Lionheart) had been away (the Lionheart) had been away fighting in the Crusadesfighting in the Crusades

King John manages to upset everyone!!

He is famous as Prince John in the stories of

Robin Hood.

In the stories he is a wicked and foolish prince who taxes the people of England unfairly. Some historians say John was just as foolish in real life. Others say he was simply unlucky!

After the death of Richard he ruled England as king John from 1199 to 1216.

God fearing

A good judge of character

A good soldier

In Medieval times people expected their kings to have certain qualities

Rich – but not greedy!

Fit and strong

Inspiring!

Hardworking Brave

WiseFirm – but fair!

Medieval kings could get into serious trouble if they did not have the qualities of a KING!

John had a number of problems . . .

Problem Number 1

He quarrelled with the Pope about how to run the Church.

From 1208 until 1213, the Pope banned all church services in England and English people feared that they would all go to HELL!

Some Church leaders blamed John for the trouble.

Problem Number 2

John went to war twice against the French king.

His army was badly beaten both times. He lost almost all the land that his father had gained in France!

He was given the nickname - ‘Soft Sword’!

Problem Number 3

John raised taxes in England to pay for the wars. This upset his BARONS! He ordered them to pay far more tax than earlier kings had done!

How did the barons strike back? In 1214 many barons rebelled against John. In 1214 many barons rebelled against John.

They believed that he could not rule the They believed that he could not rule the country properly and was treating them country properly and was treating them unfairly. If someone did not do something unfairly. If someone did not do something the whole country could be ruined!the whole country could be ruined!

In 1215 the barons forced John to grant a In 1215 the barons forced John to grant a charter, which was the first time anyone had charter, which was the first time anyone had expected an English king to obey a set of expected an English king to obey a set of rules.rules.

The Magna CartaI, King John, accept that I have to I, King John, accept that I have to

govern according to the law.govern according to the law.So I agree:So I agree:

1.1. Not to imprison nobles without trialNot to imprison nobles without trial

2.2. That trials must be in courts; not held in That trials must be in courts; not held in secret by mesecret by me

3.3. To have fair taxation for the noblesTo have fair taxation for the nobles

4.4. To let freemen travel wherever they like To let freemen travel wherever they like andand

not have to pay heavy taxes to tradenot have to pay heavy taxes to trade

5.5. Not to interfere in Church mattersNot to interfere in Church matters

……. and lot more things too!!. and lot more things too!!

Magn Carta

The Charter later became The Charter later became known by the Latin name known by the Latin name Magna CartaMagna Carta which means which means “great charter”.“great charter”.

It was signed on an island in It was signed on an island in the River Thames near the River Thames near Windsor called Runnymede.Windsor called Runnymede.

Runnymede

King John’s Great Seal

John signed the charter John signed the charter with his great sealwith his great seal

The Magna Carta is regarded as a very The Magna Carta is regarded as a very important document in English historyimportant document in English history

It was one of the first steps in reducing the It was one of the first steps in reducing the power of the kingpower of the king

In the future there would be further attempts In the future there would be further attempts to reduce this power to reduce this power