John of England

John served as King of England from 1199 until his death in 1216 and held the title Lord of Ireland. His reign saw the loss of the Duchy of Normandy and most of his French lands to King Philip II of France, leading to the collapse of the Angevin Empire and the rise of the French Capetian dynasty in the 13th century. The baronial revolt at the end of his reign resulted in the sealing of Magna Carta, marking an early step in the development of the United Kingdom’s constitution.

John was the youngest son of King Henry II of England and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine. Initially nicknamed ‘John Lackland’ due to his lack of inheritance, he eventually succeeded his brother, Richard I, becoming king in 1199. His reign was marked by conflicts with France, his excommunication by Pope Innocent III, and a civil war in England, culminating in the drafting of Magna Carta as a peace treaty, which neither side honored, leading to further conflict.