Born 1166 – Died 1216 • King of England 1199 - 1216

"He feared not God, nor respected men, his

punishments were refinements of cruelty."

Medieval Chronicle, 1216

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John failed to defend French territory, had England excommunicated, alienated his barons, seduced their wives, pillaged their estates, relied on mercenary troops and raised taxes. His reign ended badly. A failed Magna Carta, civil war and  French invasion. With the fate of England in the balance, John suddenly died of dysentery. Henry III, his 9 year old son, was declared King, the Magna Carta was reissued and England united against the French. In death, John saved England.

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The French barons were for Arthur of Brittany, John's 16 year old nephew, as their King. John had other plans, Arthur was captured at Mirebeau, imprisoned in Falaise Castle and never seen alive again. Rumours accused John of murdering Arthur with his own hands, whilst drunk and possessed by the devil and had his body thrown into the River Seine...

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"...it will be seen that the British nation and the English-speaking world owe far more to the vices of John than to the labours of virtuous sovereigns; for it was through the union of many forces against him that the most famous milestone of our rights and freedom was in fact set up."

Winston Churchill

Photo:  Dulwich Picture Gallery/Wikimedia  • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)