The Barons’ Ultimatum

The Barons’ Ultimatum

One of the defining moments in English history occurred on 12th May 1215.
The Barons presented King John with an ultimatum….

They demanded that he recognize their established rights as Englishmen.
The king had no alternative but to agree.

34 days later, in a ceremony at the Thames water-meadow called Runnymede, King John signed the document that set out the rights of Englishmen – and his commitment to uphold them.

It came to be known as the Magna Carta, the Great Charter.

Raising taxes had made King John increasingly unpopular with the English barons – whom the king relied on to assist him in governing the kingdom.

This, together with John’s personality and ruthless actions, caused much opposition among the barons.

The Magna Carta was hammered out in negotiations between the leaders of the two parties – the king on one side and the rebel barons on the other.

Neither side expected it to settle the matter, and both anticipated continued war between the king and the barons…..

📜 Chronicle of England – Page 226 – John Signs the Great Charter.
James William Edmund Doyle c.1864