John, the duplicitous king of England, was one of the nation’s most divisive rulers in its history. John, commonly known as the “flawed king,” began his reign in England following the death of his older brother, Richard I. John was notorious for his volatile temper. His haughty attitude caused a great deal of conflict with his barons and other kingdoms. He had also repeatedly betrayed his own family. For example, he attempted to seize the throne while his sibling was out of the kingdom. He is best remembered for signing the Magna Carta (the “Great Charter”), which was a response to the growing discontent among John’s barons as a result of his haughty conduct. The infliction of high taxes to regain Normandy, Anjou, Maine, and portions of Poitou, which he had lost to King Philip II of France, was one of his cruelest decisions. This caused his barons to rebel, leading to the sealing of the “Great Charter.” King Philip II eventually took everything from him. In his final years, he suffered from gastroenteritis. His health declined over time, resulting in his demise in 1216.
Youth and Early Life
John was born to King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine at ‘Beaumont Palace’ in Oxford on December 24, 1166. John was a young child when his mother departed for Poitiers and sent him to ‘Fontevrault Abbey’ to be educated by a teacher.
Later, he was instructed by Ranulf de Glanvill, a prominent English administrator. He also received military and hunting training. Due to his low position in the line of succession, the youngest and most beloved son of Henry II was humorously dubbed “Sanz Terre” or “Lackland” for not acquiring any land for himself.
Perhaps because Henry, William, Richard I, and Geoffrey rebelled against their father between 1173 and 1174, John was Henry II’s favored child. John was Henry II’s fifth-born child. As the last-born member of the royal family, he was not eligible for an inheritance. He gradually acquired his father’s rage. In contrast to his father, he was more cynical. Never trusting anyone, the “bad king” plotted against his own people.
His Early Profession
John was not granted any significant land during his early years, whereas his brothers were given control of certain lands. In 1170, Henry the Young King was crowned king of England. In order to control the southern borders of Aquitaine, Henry II betrothed John to Alais, the daughter of Humbert III of Savoy. John was five years old at the time of the negotiation. Thus, his father made the decision to manage his son’s lands.
Unfortunately, Alais passed away before marrying John, and John was again left without an inheritance. Henry II had transferred the ownership of the castles of Loudun, Chinon, and Mirebeau to John as part of the prospective alliance. Henry the Young King was not pleased with this decision.
Henry the Young King rebelled against his father between 1173 and 1174 with the support of Eleanor, Louis VII of France, and his brothers. John remained on Henry II’s side throughout the brief rebellion. Henry II defeated his sons and as a peace settlement awarded them Montlouis. Eleanor, however, was incarcerated for supporting a conflict against her husband.
His father gave John the estates of the deceased Earl of Cornwall in 1175. In addition, he was engaged to Isabelle of Gloucester. The couple wed when John was 21 years old, but they did not have any offspring. In 1177, Henry supplanted William FitzAldelm as Lord of Ireland with John. John’s first rule was unsuccessful because he and his companions made light of the chieftains by making comments about their attire and pulling their beards.
This resulted in John’s expulsion from Ireland. Around this time, his family’s problems intensified dramatically.
Richard, I was the most qualified candidate for the English throne after the demise of Henry the Young King. Geoffrey also perished during a tournament in 1186, bringing John closer to the throne.
Henry II confirmed Richard I’s succession to the throne in 1189. He passed away soon after the proclamation. In September 1189, Richard the Lionheart has crowned the new monarch of England. Richard, I named his 4-year-old nephew Arthur of Brittany, the son of Geoffrey, as his successor to the throne as he prepared to embark on the “Third Crusade.” During his absence, John attempted to oust him from the throne.
During this time, Richard I was captured by the Duke of Austria, and an enormous ransom was required for his release. John exerted significant effort to raise the amount. Richard I was eventually set free, and upon his return to the kingdom, he decided to absolve John and appoint him as his successor. The death of Richard I occurred on April 6, 1199. John ascended to the throne of England and assumed control of the Angevin Empire.
John’s reign endured from 1199 to 1204, despite conflict with his nephew Arthur of Brittany. Arthur and Philip II of France fought against John for the throne. Philip ultimately deemed John to be the superior candidate for the monarch. John had to consent, however, to serve as Philip’s vassal in Normandy and Angevin.
The war continued thereafter. Philip gave Arthur all the land taken from John, with the exception of Normandy, and engaged Arthur to his daughter Marie. Arthur abducted his grandmother, Eleanor, before being apprehended by John’s army. Arthur perished under mysterious circumstances in 1202.
Brittany residents were persuaded he was murdered by John. John attacked Brittany two years later but was gravely defeated. The union between John and Isabelle of Angoulême also generated considerable controversy. Isabelle was already engaged to a French nobleman, Hugh X of Lusignan, and Philip Augustus, monarch of France, was enraged by John’s marriage to her.
Philip commanded John to clarify his actions before the French courts. John refused out of presumption, sparking another conflict between the French and English forces. Soon after Hubert Walter’s demise, John and Pope Innocent III clashed over the selection of the new archbishop of Canterbury. The pope excommunicated John and declared that anyone who overthrew him would have the legal right to do so.
People faulted John for religious restraints, as no marriage was recognized as valid until the pope gave his blessing. In 1214, John ceded the Kingdom of England to God and the saints Peter and Paul in exchange for an annual feudal service of one thousand marks. In the interim, John lost another combat to France at Bouvines. Philip II played a significant role in destroying John’s dominion and family circumstances, and this time he took away nearly everything.
Philip II seized control of Normandy, Anjou, Maine, and portions of Poitou from John. John decided to retake Normandy in order to preserve the Angevin Empire. To re-establish his treasury, he decided to impose high taxes and made ruthless financial decisions. Additionally, he limited the feudal privileges of the nobles, which angered the barons. He returned to England to discover that the barons were furious with him for losing the war to France. They believed John was no longer qualified to lead the kingdom.
On June 15, 1215, the Magna Carta or “Great Charter” was sealed at Runnymede, near London. John was compelled to adopt the “Great Charter,” which established a council of twenty-five barons. John, with the backing of the papacy, questioned the signing of the ‘Magna Carta’ that reinstated English law and limited royal power. The pope concurred that the charter was demeaning, unjust, and illegal.
This prompted the first “Barons’ War” against John by the nobility. Prince Louis VIII of France invaded John’s land after being promised the English throne by the nobility. The land and treasure of John were stolen from him. John sought refuge in Wash to evade the war zone of East Anglia.
He had dysentery and remained unwell until he passed away. John passed away on Oct. 18, 1216. His son, Henry III, was only nine years old when John died. Thus, William Marshal was appointed as his representative. In 1217, Louis abdicated his throne and signed the ‘Treaty of Lambeth’.
Personal History and Legacy
John married Isabel of Gloucester in 1189 but annulled the union after they failed to have children. On August 24, 1200, he married Isabelle of Angoulême after kidnapping her from her fiancé, Hugh X of Lusignan. Five children were born to the couple: Henry III, Richard, Joan, Isabella, and Eleanor.
John had numerous illegitimate offspring as well. John was the inspiration for one of the antagonists in the legendary ‘Robin Hood tales. William Shakespeare composed a play based on the life of John.
Estimated Net Worth
John is one of the wealthiest and most popular monarchs. According to our analysis of Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, the net worth of John, King of England, is $5 million.