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Background Information

Background Information. After King Richard’s death, his younger brother John took the throne in 1199 A.D. John was an unpopular king He received the nickname “Lackland” because he inherited no land from his father. King John. King John angered his people by: Raising taxes

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Background Information

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  1. Background Information • After King Richard’s death, his younger brother John took the throne in 1199 A.D. • John was an unpopular king • He received the nickname “Lackland” because he inherited no land from his father

  2. King John • King John angered his people by: • Raising taxes • Taking money for wars (which he ended up losing) • Arguing with the Pope and trying to take control over Church decisions • As a result, a group of nobles began looking for a way to limit the kings’ powers and protect their own rights in return

  3. Magna Carta • In 1215, at the meadow of Runnymede, a group of nobles and lords forced King John to approve a document they had written: Magna Carta • Magna Carta means “Great Charter” and it focused on the rights of the nobles

  4. The Effects of the Magna Carta • No imprisonment without a trial by jury *habeas corpus-“you have the body”- meant that people could not be held in jail without a reason • Must consult lords before raising taxes • Must choose competent officials who understand and obey the law themselves • Could not interfere with or limit the freedom of the church • Most importantly, the Magna Carta required that everyone- even the king- had to obey the law

  5. Changes after Magna Carta • After King John signed the charter, the conflicts continued until his death the following year • The Magna Carta lived on inspiring the English to find more ways to limit the king’s power • A council of nobles who advise the king was created, which eventually developed into Parliament, the lawmaking body that governs England today • By the late Middle Ages, kings could do little without Parliaments support

  6. England vs France • While the power of the English monarchy waned, in France the Valois were consolidating the power of Paris over the vassals. • Just as the Magna Carta set a precedent for decentralising power in England, the success of the Valois set a precedent for centralisation in France. • This paved the way for the Bourbons to achieve Absolutism in later periods. • Louis XIV in the 17th Century is famously (and falsely) attributed for saying ‘L'État, c'est moi!’ (‘I am the state!’)

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