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King John

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  • Lifespan

    1166-1216

  • Date as King

    1199-1216

  • Dates as Duke of Normandy

    1199-1216

Why are they famous?
In 1215 the rebel barons seized Rochester Castle in order to block the King's approach to London. John attacked on the third day of the baron's seige. The King had spent September at Dover. On 13 October he was at Rochester himself having travelled via Canterbury, Ospringe and Gillingham.
DID YOU KNOW?
"John liked gambling especially at backgammon. He was also known by the French for enjoying bad wines. John had been excommunicated by Pope Innocent III, described as ""ambitious and aggressive"", about the succession of the Arbishop of Canterbury who died in 1205."
DID YOU KNOW?
King John was formally known as John Lackland until he became King in 1199.

John became King of England and gained title and lands in France in 1199, after Richard I's death. During his reign, John lost the Duchy of Normandy to King Phillip of France, when he married the heiress of the Angoulâme family, one of two rival families he was asked to mediate between. This had a damaging effect to the King's prestige, and war with France was consequently renewed. In an attempt to win back the lost areas of France, John increased taxes and created a ruthless government.  A baronial rebellion followed and, despite attempts at negotiations, John was forced to sign the Magna Carta which protected the privilages of the barons.

 

 

 

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