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King John's downfall, 1205 to 16
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Quarrels with the Pope, heavy demands for money and defeat in France led John's barons to rebel and force him to accept Magna Carta.
The dispute with the Papacy
In 1205 the Archbishop of Canterbury died. Pope Innocent III chose Stephen Langton; John refused to accept him.
The Pope placed England under an Interdict (1208 to 1214): most church services stopped, and the dead were buried without proper rites. John was excommunicated in 1209 and took Church income.
In 1213 John submitted to the Pope, gaining him as an ally.
The Pope placed England under an Interdict (1208 to 1214): most church services stopped, and the dead were buried without proper rites. John was excommunicated in 1209 and took Church income.
In 1213 John submitted to the Pope, gaining him as an ally.
John and the barons
John demanded heavy scutage, taxes and 'fines' (payments for favours) to fund war with France, and used arbitrary power. There was a plot in 1212.
John's allies were defeated at Bouvines in 1214, ending hopes of regaining Normandy.
In 1215 rebel barons took up arms at Northampton and then marched on London, which opened its gates.
John's allies were defeated at Bouvines in 1214, ending hopes of regaining Normandy.
In 1215 rebel barons took up arms at Northampton and then marched on London, which opened its gates.
Magna Carta and after
At Runnymede in June 1215 John agreed to Magna Carta: limits on reliefs and scutage, no free man imprisoned without lawful judgement, freedom for the Church, and a council of 25 barons to enforce it.
John asked the Pope to annul it, and the First Barons' War began. John captured Rochester Castle (1215). Prince Louis of France invaded in 1216.
John died in October 1216. His son Henry III was 9, and William Marshal acted as Protector and reissued Magna Carta.
John asked the Pope to annul it, and the First Barons' War began. John captured Rochester Castle (1215). Prince Louis of France invaded in 1216.
John died in October 1216. His son Henry III was 9, and William Marshal acted as Protector and reissued Magna Carta.
Explain why the barons rebelled in 1215.
- John's heavy taxes, scutage and fines angered them.
- He used arbitrary power, punishing barons without proper judgement.
- His defeat at Bouvines in 1214 wasted their money and weakened him.
Answer: Financial burdens, arbitrary rule and military failure.
Langton dispute; Interdict 1208 to 14; excommunication 1209; submission 1213. Heavy taxes and fines; plot 1212; Bouvines 1214. Magna Carta June 1215. First Barons' War: Rochester, Prince Louis. John died 1216; William Marshal protector for Henry III.
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