King John and the Magna Carta

1. King John and the Magna Carta

2. Could the rich control the king? • Rich-but not greedy • Fit and strong • Inspiring • Hardworking • Firm-but fair • Wise • Brave • A good judge of character • Wise • God Fearing • A good soldier

3. In Medieval Times a King had to be strong. Kings were expected to protect the people, maintain law and order and to make sure that people were treated fairly. In return the barons and the rest of the country would serve the King. King John failed to do this. He was rude to people, spent money on wars that he never won and wanted more tax from people than many could afford. The baron’s didn’t know what John was likely to do next. He was very unpredictable, and that could only mean trouble in Medieval Times. The baron’s had soon grown fed up of John. They had been forced to accept him as ruler when his older Brother, Richard the Lionheart, had gone on Crusade. Now that he was King they grew to dislike him more. Many of them thought that John had murdered Prince Arthur, Richard’s son, they were unhappy at the way in which he changed his mind all the time and did not like having to pay for John’s war against the French. To stop John from doing as he pleased the barons got together and forced John to sign the Magna Carta, which was a set of Rules that kings would have to obey. WHY?

4. Your enquiry! Medieval kings could get into serious trouble if they did not have the qualities of a KING! In the thirteenth century some barons forced an unpopular king to give up some power …and it was only the beginning!! In this enquiry, you will find out how the richest people in the country began to challenge the king

5. King John manages to upset everyone!! The first king to give up some of his power was John. He is famous as Prince John in make believe 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! John ruled England from 1199 to 1216. He faced the following problems.

6. Problem Number One 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. VS

7. Problem Number Two 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!

8. Problem Number Three 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!

9. 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.

10. 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!!

11. The Signing • In 1215 King John signed the Magna Carta. • Within days of him signing it though he was ignoring it and complaining that he had been forced to sign it.

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

13. What the Magna Carta Did • Magna Carta Signed by King John in 1215 • Was an official document • Was signed at Runnymede • Became Law • It had been forced on him by the Barons • Promised freedoms to all people • Protected the rights of ordinary people • It prevented the King from doing as he pleased