King John

King John (c1167–1216) was king of England from 1199 until his death in October 1216 and is most famous for signing Magna Carta in 1215. Famously nicknamed ‘Bad King John’, he is said to have been cruel and tyrannical – it was widely rumoured that he had killed his nephew and rival, Arthur of Brittany, who contested the king’s claim to his inheritance until John captured him in 1202. King John was made to sign Magna Carta in 1215 after his barons rebelled and forced him to agree to limitations on his power, because he had demanded heavy taxes to fund his unsuccessful wars in France. King John died of dysentery in October 1216 and he was succeeded by his son Henry III