King John and the Magna Carta

King John manages to upset everyone!! John ruled England from 1199 to 1216. He faced the following problems. 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. 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! 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!

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.

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 more!!

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