King John and the Loss of Territories Flashcards

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Who was King John and when did he rule England?

King John was an English king who ruled from 1199 to 1216.

Which main lands in France did King John control at the start of his reign?

He ruled Normandy, Anjou, Maine and parts of Poitou in France, as well as England.

Why did King Philip II of France want to take King John’s French lands?

Philip II wanted to increase his power by bringing these lands under direct French control.

What dispute over marriage helped to start war between King John and Philip II?

John married Isabella of Angoulême. This angered a French lord and let Philip say John broke feudal rules.

What happened when King John refused to appear in Philip II’s court in 1202?

Philip said John had broken his duty as a lord’s follower and took away his French lands.

Who was Arthur of Brittany and why did he matter in John’s loss of lands?

Arthur of Brittany was John’s nephew and rival for the throne. He died while held by John, which turned many nobles against John.

In which year did King John lose Normandy, and which key fortress fell?

He lost Normandy in 1204, after the fall of his strong castle at Château Gaillard.

Why did some people call King John ‘Softsword’?

They thought he was a weak war leader because he failed to defend Normandy and other lands in France.

How did the loss of Normandy affect many English barons?

Many barons lost lands in France. They had to choose whether to stay loyal to John in England or move to France.

How did King John try to win back his lost French lands?

He raised high taxes in England to pay for soldiers and ships to fight in France.

What happened at the Battle of Bouvines in 1214?

John’s allies were defeated by Philip II of France, so John’s plan to recover his lands failed.

Why is King John’s loss of French territories important for English history?

It ended most English kings’ large lands in France and made later kings focus more on ruling England itself.