King John and the Magna
Carta
Firm – but fair!
Hardworking
Inspiring!
Fit and strong
Rich – but not
greedy!
Wise
Brave
God fearing
A good soldier
A good judge of
character
Around the picture below, you can read some of
the qualities which medieval people expected
their king to have! Which three are the most
important for a medieval king?
Could the rich control the king?
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 inquiry,
you will find out how the richest
people in the country began to
challenge the king
Your inquiry!
John ruled England from 1199 to 1216. He faced the
following problems.
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!
King John manages to upset
everyone!!
He quarrelled with the Pope about how to run
the Church.
John collected large amounts of money from
Church properties.
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.
Problem Number 1
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!
Problem Number 2
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!
Problem Number 3
For how many years did the ban on church
services last?
Why do you think the barons gave John the
nicknames “Softsword” and “Lackland”?
Which of the three problems do you think
upset the barons the most?
THINK!
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 a meeting with
King John at a meadow called Runnymeade
to grant a charter, which was the first time
anyone had expected an English king to
obey a set of rules.
How did the barons strike back?
…. and lot more things too!!
So I agree:
1. Not to imprison nobles without trial
2. That trials must be in courts; not held in
secret by the king
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
I, King John, accept that I have to
govern according to the law.
The Magna Carta
The Charter later became known
by the Latin name Magna
Carta which means “great
charter”.
The Magna Carta??
Latin for “You have the body”
When King John signs the Magna Carta he
establishes the beginning of what is known as
Habeas Corpus.
The right of no free man to be jailed without a trial
and without a court.
Habeas Corpus
The US Constitution establishes the right of
Habeas Corpus for US citizens.
This right is traced back to the Magna Carta
The Courts and the Magna Carta
What was so new about Magna Carta for
English kings?
At the time, Magna Carta was not designed
to help everybody. What kind of people
were not helped by the charter?
How did the Magna Carta influence the US
Constitution?
Think!