General Notes

John (jòn)
Known as John Lackland.
1167?-1216
King of England (1199-1216). The youngest son of Henry II, he schemed against his father and his brother Richard I. During his reign, the English lost most of their possessions in France. The nobility rose against John and forced him to sign the Magna Carta (June 15, 1215), a cornerstone of English freedom.

Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.


Source: 'The World Book Encyclopedia', 1968, p J110. 'Royalty for ommoners', Roderick W. Stuart, 1993, p 38.: Reigned 1199-1216. Signed Magna Carta in 1215 at Runnymede. His reign saw renewal of war with Phillip II Augustus of France to whom he lost several continental possesions including Normandy by 1205. He came into conflict with his Barons and was forced to Sign the Magna Carta. His later repudiation of the charter led to the first barons war 1215-17 during which John died. Burke says he was born in 1160. John 'Lackland' King Of England was known as one of England's worst kings; however, modern analysis notes he was actually much better than his infamous reputation allows. His barons forced him to grant the famous charter of liberties, Magna Carta, in 1215. He was often cruel, but he showed both administrative and military ability. John succeeded his brother Richard the Lion-Hearted as king of England and duke of Normandy in 1199. His rule began badly. By inept politics and the murder of his nephew Arthur, he lost the allegiance of many of his French barons. King Philip Augustus of France then declared war. In 1205 John was beaten, and lost all the English holdings in France except Aquitaine. John persued a policy in England that brought him into conflict with Pope Innocent III. In 1208 the pope placed England under an interdict, which banned church services. The following year John was excommunicated. The king then showed his capacity for strong rule. He forced Scotland into a subordinate position, kept the Welsh princes in check, and held a firm grip on Ireland. But his foreign favorites, professional troops, and autocratic financial policy stirred up discontent among the English barons. When John failed to reconquer the lost French territories in 1214, most of the barons and many of the clergy revolted. On June 15, 1215, the king was forced to approve the Magna Carta at Runnymede meadow beside the River Thames.
A few months later, John fought the barons. They were aided by Prince Louis of France, heir to Philip Augustus, and appeared certain to win. But John penned his enemies in London and the adjacent counties. He died suddenly in 1216, but his throne was saved for his son, Henry III. Buried in Worcester Cathedral Concubine at Kings Manor House, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England Divorced Isabel Fitzrobert 29 August 1189.


Political Events, 1215

The Magna Carta signed at Runnymede in mid-June limits the power of the English monarchy. Feudal barons supported by Scotland's new king Alexander II meet with England's John Lackland between Staines and Windsor and exact major concessions reaffirming traditional feudal privileges contained in the accession charter signed by Henry I a century ago. John immediately appeals to Pope Innocent III, who issues a bull annulling the charter. John imports foreign mercenaries to fight the barons, but the Magna Carta will remain the basis of English feudal justice.

Political Events, 1216

England's John Lackland comes down with dysentery in October after crushing resistance in the north. He crosses the Wash and reaches Newark Castle but dies there October 19 at age 38. The king is succeeded by his 9-year-old son, who will reign until 1272 as Henry III; the earl of Pembroke William Marshal serves as regent, and the moderate party takes control, thus ending the need for opposition to royal authority.

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