King John

Also known as: Iohannes / John duke of Normandie / K. John / king Iohn / king John / king Johns · Family: England · Role: king of England · First appears: King John 1

In 1199, King John succeeded Henry II as king of England after the death of his brother Richard I, while his nephew Arthur of Brittany also stood among his close kin. “Iohn the yoongest son of Henrie the second was proclaimed king of England”; leading nobles including David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon, Richard, Earl of Clare, Ranulf, Earl of Chester, William, Earl of Derby, Walran, Earl of Warwick, Roger de Lacy, and William de Mowbray swore obedience to him. At Rouen he was invested as duke of Normandy by Walter, Archbishop of Rouen, and at Westminster Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury crowned him, while William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke and Geoffrey FitzPeter, Earl of Essex received earldom swords. He contended with William I of Scotland, renewed a league with Philip, Count of Flanders, and made a truce with Philip II of France; in 1200 he rendered homage to Philip II of France, divorced Isabella of Gloucester, married Isabella of Angoulême, and became father of Henry III, Richard of Cornwall, Isabella of England, Holy Roman Empress, Eleanor of England, Countess of Leicester, and Joan of England.

From 1200 to 1206, King John received homage from Arthur of Brittany, deprived Geoffrey Plantagenet, Archbishop of York of his possessions, and fought Philip II of France and Arthur of Brittany. In 1202 he defeated the forces gathered at Mirabeau, capturing Arthur of Brittany, Hugh le Brun, Earl of March, Andrew de Chauenie, Raimond de Touars, Savary de Mauléon, and Hugh Bangi; Hubert de Burgh prevented Arthur’s blinding. King John later released Hugh le Brun, Earl of March and Savary de Mauléon, though Hugh de Gourney revolted and delivered his castle to Philip II of France. He campaigned in Ireland and Wales, took pledges from Welsh rulers, welcomed Reginald de Dammartin, Earl of Boulogne after granting him lands for homage, and relied on officers and captains including Hugh de Neville, Robert de Turnham, William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, and Savary de Mauléon. At the same time, his quarrel with Pope Innocent III, Stephen Langton, and several bishops led to confiscations, interdict, and the flight of William de Braose.