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Explain why the barons forced King John to agree to Magna Carta in 1215. - OCR Gateway - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 2
Explain why the barons forced King John to agree to Magna Carta in 1215.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain why the barons forced King John to agree to Magna Carta in 1215. - OCR Gateway - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Reasons the barons forced King John to agree to Magna Carta
Answer
The barons coerced King John into agreeing to the Magna Carta in 1215 due to several grievances that had built up over time. One primary reason was his heavy taxation. King John imposed excessive taxes on his barons to fund his wars, particularly against France, which led to widespread resentment among the nobility.
Another significant factor was John's military failures. His inability to retain the territories in France was seen as a failure of leadership, resulting in not just financial burdens but also a loss of prestige for the barons.
Additionally, King John's arbitrary rule and disregard for feudal rights caused frustration among the barons. They felt that he frequently abused his power, such as by seizing lands and imposing fines without proper legal processes. This lack of adherence to feudal traditions and agreements played a key role in their demand for reform.
The culmination of these grievances led the barons to rebel against King John and eventually compel him to agree to the Magna Carta, which aimed to limit the powers of the king and ensure the protection of baronial rights.