King John and the Magna Carta

Could the rich control the king? Around the picture below, you can read some of the qualities which medieval people expected their king to have! Which three are the most important for a medieval king? Rich – but not greedy! A good judge of character Fit and strong A good soldier Inspiring! God fearing Hardworking Brave Firm – but fair! Wise

Baron = Member of Royal Court usually known as a lord Your enquiry! A baron could use force Medieval kings could get into serious trouble if they did not have the right “kingly” qualities! In the thirteenth century some barons forced unpopular kings to give up their power …and that is just the beginning!! In this enquiry, you will find out how the richest people in the country began to challenge the king. Baron = Member of Royal Court usually known as a lord A king might loose the respect of his people

King john manages to upset everyone The first king to be forced to release some of his power was King John. He is known as the famous Prince John in the make believe story of Robin Hood. In the story 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! John ruled England from 1199 to 1216. He faced the following problems…. Clip #1

Robin hood: Prince john aka “king John” the villain Clip #2 Clip #3

Problem #1 Problem #2 Problem #3 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 #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! Problem #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!

For how many years did the ban on church services last? POP quiz For how many years did the ban on church services last? Why do you think the barons gave John the nicknames “Softsword” and “Lackland”? Which of the three problems do you think upset the barons the most?

How did the barons strike back? In 1214 many barons rebelled against John. They believed that he could not rule the country properly and was treating them unfairly. If someone did not do something the whole country could be ruined! In 1215 the barons forced John to grant a charter, which was the first time anyone had expected an English king to obey a set of rules.

I, King John, accept that I have to govern according to the law. The magna carta I, King John, accept that I have to govern according to the law. So I agree: 1. Not to imprison nobles without trial 2. That trials must be in courts; not held in secret by me 3. To have fair taxation for the nobles 4. To let freemen travel wherever they like 5. Not to interfere in Church matters 6. Not to seize crops without paying for them …. and lot more things too!!

What was so new about Magna Carta for English kings? Pop quiz Use the examples from Magna Carta to work out the different ways in which John has been upsetting people. What was so new about Magna Carta for English kings? At the time, Magna Carta was not designed to help everybody. What kind of people were not helped by the charter?