John,+King+of+England

 John was born on December 24, 1167. He was the son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. In 1189 he joined his brother Richard the "Lionhearted" and Phillip II to end his fathers treachery. Once Henry was defeated, Richard became king of England. Soon after Richard became king He prepared to go on crusade.So he lavished grants to John. John was Count of Mortain and excluded from share of government.

John wanted more power and plotted to steal power from the government and from Richard. He put himself in opposition as Richard's chancellor. The citizens forced him out of the country, but did not put an end to his treacherous designs. Fortunately Richard returned, but was not pleased. He took back the throne from John and most of his property. Eventually Richard died in April 6, 1199, and John regained the throne once again.

When John was king, he charged the citizens with high taxes. The people suffered and had to live in poor conditions. To get back at John they forced him to sign Magna Carta. Magna Carta was the principle that John was not above the law. John did not approve of this, and civil war broke out. But John was sick and ill, and eventually died in 1216. Then his son King Henry III Became King. So then the war ended.

Works Cited
 * “John, King of England.” Encyclopedia of the World. 2nd ed. N.p.: Gale, 1998. N. pag. Biography Resource Center. Web. 11 Mar. 2010.
 * “John, King of England.” “Middle Ages : An Encyclopedia for Students.” Ed. William Chester Jordan. Vol. 3. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 55-56. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 Mar. 2010.