The Barons' War

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  • Created by: 08rdunn
  • Created on: 17-04-17 16:37

The Barons' War

Advantages

  • Sought support of Pope & asked to be released from Magna Carta
  • Barons avoided conflict at first
  • Pope condemned & annulled Magna Carta 24th Aug 1215
  • Langton suspended by papal legates (refused to excommunicate rebels)
  • Armies at disposal: Irish forces & Welsh marcher lords
  • Could afford to supplement army with substantial mercenary force
  • Support of virtually entire English Church
  • Regained Rochester after 7wk seige in Nov 1215 - displayed military skill e.g. destroying bridge to prevent reinforcements & mining under walls
  • Divided forces & led larger force north to devastate lands of rebels Dec 1215
  • Drove rebels out of large chunks of East Anglia (whilst John raided north)
  • Drove Scots back over border Jan 1216
  • Captured castles in Suffolk & Essex Mar 1216
  • Consolidated hold over western England Jul/Aug 1216
  • Louis failed to capture Dover from chief justiciar (forced to abandon siege Oct 1216)
  • Captured Cambridge & rescued loyalist forces at Lincoln beginning Oct 1216

Disadvantages

  • Despite Magna Carta, relations with rebel Englis barons didn't improve
  • Made concessions - some unpopular favourites removed e.g. chief justiciar
  • Many barons = reluctant to disarm & appointed prominent rebels (not moderate) to council
  • Rebels hadn't surrendered hold over London (in theory in the king's name after Oxford July 1215
  • Rebels openly showed disrespect & encouraged attacks on officials
  • Letters from Pope aggravated situation
  • Rebels appealed to Philip II - Louis put forward claim to the throne
  • French knights joined rebels in London Nov 1215
  • Storm at Dover May 1216 sank John's ships, drowning mercenaries
  • Rebels gained allies e.g. Alexander II of Scotland & Llwelyn of Gwynedd
  • Louis landed unopposed - John retreated to Winchester
  • Unsure of loyalties of mercenary forces - John was behind with payments & many were recruited in France (now fighting the French heir!)
  • Loss of Rochester to Louis
  • Alexander returned Aug 1216 - performed homage to Louis Sept
  • Caught dysentery & died 19th Oct 1216

Evaluation

The Barons' War began in June 1215 at Runnymede. John, faced by the concerted opposition of the barons and Church, conceded Magna Carta. He failed to honour his promise and thereby provoked the barons to offer the crown to Louis, Dauphin of France, who landed in Kent in May 1216. John's death (October 1216) and the reissue of Magna Carta by the regent of his son Henry III prevented a major civil war.

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