First Barons War Flashcards
(11 cards)
When did John repudiate Magna Carta and what was the consequence?
On 24 August 1215, John had Magna Carta annulled by Pope Innocent III, leading to the resumption of civil war.
This act collapsed the fragile peace established earlier.
Why did the barons distrust John even after Runnymede?
They believed he signed the charter under duress and had no intention of honoring its terms.
His prior conduct and sudden annulment justified their suspicion.
How did the peace settlement at Runnymede fail?
Neither side respected the agreement; the barons refused to disband and John prepared militarily.
The “peace” broke down by September 1215.
What was John’s military response in October 1215?
He led an aggressive campaign from Dover, relieving Windsor and besieging rebel-held Rochester Castle.
This marked a significant military engagement during the conflict.
What techniques were used in the Siege of Rochester?
John employed five siege engines and undermined the keep with pig fat to collapse the tower.
This was a rare example of effective medieval siege mining.
What happened to the garrison after Rochester fell?
John planned mass execution but was persuaded to show leniency; only one crossbowman was executed.
This indicates a moment of mercy amidst the conflict.
What did the fall of Rochester demonstrate?
Royal strength; it showed how determined siege warfare could neutralize even the strongest castles.
Chroniclers noted this as a significant achievement.
Why did the barons invite Prince Louis of France in 1216?
They lost faith in John and sought a strong alternative.
Louis had a claim through his wife, John’s niece, and was seen as a credible monarch.
When did Louis land in England, and how was he received?
He landed in Kent in May 1216 with a French army and was welcomed by rebels.
He was proclaimed “King of England” in London, though never crowned.
What areas did Louis control by mid-1216?
Much of the southeast, including Winchester and London, effectively holding over half the kingdom.
This highlighted his initial success in the conflict.
What limited Louis’s success in England?
Strong royalist resistance, especially at Dover Castle under Hubert de Burgh, and divisions among barons.
Many barons were reluctant to back a foreign king.
