A) John lost Normandy and many other lands because of his own laziness. He always took money from his people and destroyed their property. He hated his wife and she him. He gave orders that her lovers were to be throttled on her bed.

Written by Matthew Paris, a monk from the monastery at St. Albans, near London

Matthew Paris was not even born while King John was alive. He copied another monk’s opinions about John.

B) It was a hard task for John to win the support of his barons. The barons were unhappy with the way previous kings had run the country. Their demands had been ignored for a long time and they wanted change. John angered the barons because he tried to keep the power that past kings had enjoyed.

An extract from King John, written by W.L.Warren in 1961

Historians at the time argued that the monks’ accounts were prejudiced against John.

C) After arguing with the Pope, John ordered the few monks who remained at Canterbury, including the blind and crippled, out of the country. He said that all monks were public enemies. The whole of England was taxed heavily. He imprisoned many and only released them in return for money.

Written by Gervase, a monk from Canterbury in Kent.

Gervase was well-informed of people’s opinions at the time of King John’s reign.

D) John was no coward. He was good at planning was and was a skilled soldier and besieger of castles. John had the potential for success. He was intelligent and good at administration.

R.V.Turner, a modern historian, writing in his book King John which was published in 1994.

Some modern historians believe King John was a good king who had to face difficult problems.

E) My brother John is not the man to conquer a country. My brother is not the man to win land for himself if there is anyone able to make the slightest resistance to his efforts.

Richard I talking about his brother John. It was written down by Roger of Howden, who knew Richard, in his Chronicle.

Richard did not trust his brother. John was a rival for the throne of England and had already betrayed Richard once.

  F) In fact, John was a very poor king. He was useless at his most important job, managing the barons.  

Written by John Gillingham in 1984 Modern historians argue that although the monks were prejudiced against John, no one wrote anything saying he was a success.

G) John was a great ruler, but not a happy one. He experienced good and bad times. He stole from his own people. He trusted strangers, but not the people he ruled over. In the end, he was deserted by his own men. Few people mourned when he died.

Written by a monk from Barnwell near Cambridge.

This monk was known not to allow his personal feelings to influence his writing.

H) John is far too hard on us. He takes our land if we do not obey his commands. He even takes our sons as hostages, in case we rebel against him.

Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk.

Roger Bigod was one of the most powerful barons in England during John’s reign. Roger felt that his power had been reduced by the King and the taxes he had to pay were unreasonable.

I) His punishments were cruel: the starvation of children, crushing of old men under copes of lead. His court was a brothel where no woman was safe from his royal lust. He laughed at priests during his coronation. Hell is spoiled by the fouler presence of King John.

Written by J.R.Green in 1875

Victorian historians disliked John because of his attitude towards religion and the stories of his affairs with rich women.

J) What a disgrace and a shame that the barons rebelled against King John and did not give him help in his lawful wars.

An extract from Homily Against Disobedience and Wilful Religion,1571

Tudor historians admired firm, strict kings who took a leading role in running the country. They believed that rebellions harmed everyone in the country.

K) John was hard working and very clever. At the same time he was hot tempered and stubborn. John could be tough and in battle he could plan good moves, but he never displayed the courage that inspires an army and he always tended to panic when things did not go his way.

An extract from King John, written by W.L.Warren in 1961

Historians at this time argued that the monks’ accounts were prejudiced against John

L) John wasted his time in useless raids on France, while Philip II took control of almost all John’s land in France with perfect ease. The English barons were furious. John kept forcing them to pay enormous sums of money. He would use it to build up a large army, then run away without fighting.

Written by C.L.L.Fletcher and Rudyard Kipling in 1911

Historians at this time still believed the Victorian view that John was a bad king.