John (Penguin Monarchs): An Evil King?

King John was a cruel and treacherous king who was judged more harshly because he failed as a warlord, but his crimes were not necessarily greater than those of his ancestors.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2020
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

King John ruled England for seventeen and a half years, yet his entire reign is usually reduced to one image: of the villainous monarch outmaneuvered by rebellious barons into agreeing to Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215. Ever since, John has come to be seen as an archetypal tyrant. But how evil was he?

In this perceptive short account, Nicholas Vincent unpicks John's life through his deeds and his personality. The youngest of four brothers, overlooked and given a distinctly unroyal name, John seemed doomed to failure. As king, he was reputedly cruel and treacherous, pursuing his own interests at the expense of his country, losing the continental empire bequeathed to him by his father Henry and his brother Richard and eventually plunging England into civil war. Only his lordship of Ireland showed some success. Yet, as this fascinating biography asks, were his crimes necessarily greater than those of his ancestors - or was he judged more harshly because, ultimately, he failed as a warlord?

John was born in 1167, the youngest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was overlooked by his father, who favored his eldest son, Richard the Lionheart, and his younger brother, Geoffrey. John was given a distinctly unroyal name, John Lackland, which may have contributed to his sense of insecurity and resentment.

As a young man, John was sent to France to serve as a squire to his brother Richard, who was then king of England. John proved himself to be a capable soldier and a loyal servant, but he was never fully trusted by his brother. When Richard died in 1199, John was named king of England.

John's reign was marked by a series of conflicts and challenges. He faced opposition from rebellious barons who sought to limit his power and expand their own. John was also plagued by financial difficulties, which led to a series of tax increases and economic policies that were unpopular with the people.

One of the most significant events of John's reign was the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. The Magna Carta was a charter of rights that granted certain freedoms and protections to the people of England. It was a landmark moment in English history and was seen as a symbol of the power of the monarchy.

However, John's relationship with the Magna Carta was complicated. He initially agreed to sign it in order to appease the rebellious barons and prevent further conflict. However, he soon began to backtrack on his promises and sought to undermine the charter. John's actions led to a series of conflicts with the barons, and eventually, he was forced to agree to a new version of the Magna Carta in 1216.

Despite his efforts to undermine the Magna Carta, John's reign was marked by a series of other significant events. He continued to pursue his own interests at the expense of his country, losing the continental empire that his father had inherited. He also faced a series of military defeats, including the loss of Normandy to France in 1204.

In conclusion, King John's reign was marked by a series of conflicts, challenges, and controversies. He was often portrayed as an archetypal tyrant, but this portrayal may be unfair. John was a complex and flawed monarch, who was capable of both great deeds and great mistakes. His relationship with the Magna Carta was a particularly significant moment in English history, but his actions in undermining it were a testament to his own weaknesses and flaws.

Despite his flaws, John's reign was a significant period in English history. He was a king who faced a series of challenges and obstacles, and who was ultimately unable to maintain his grip on power. His legacy continues to be debated and studied by historians and scholars, and his life remains a fascinating and complex tale.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 186 x 158 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141977690