Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that the
barons rebelled because John disregarded accepted customs.
Source A: An anonymous chronicler gives an account of a disagreement between King John and his barons in 1214.
There arose a dissension between King John and some of the nobles concerning a scutage, which he sought from them and which they would not give. Nor would they follow him into Poitou. For although many had given, some of the northern barons, who during the previous year had hindered the king’s crossing to Poitou, refused, saying they need not follow the king outside the country in return for the lands they held from him in England, nor need they help him with scutage. On the other hand, the king demanded the aid which had been given to the Crown in the days of his father and brother. The barons brought forward a certain charter of liberties granted by Henry I, which they demanded should be confirmed to them by the king.
Barnwell Chronicle, written before 1230
Source B: Roger of Wendover, a monk at St Alban’s, describes John’s reaction when presented with demands from the barons.
The barons sent a paper containing in great measure the laws and ancient customs of the kingdom and declared that unless the king immediately granted them and confirmed them under his own seal, they would capture his fortresses and force him to give them satisfaction. The archbishop carried the paper to the king and read it to him. When the king heard it he said, with great indignation, ‘Why, amongst these unjust demands, did not the barons ask for my kingdom also?’ And he declared, with an oath, that he would never grant them such liberties as would render him their slave.
Roger of Wendover, History of England, written before 1236
Source C: Matthew Paris, a monk at St Alban’s, comments on John’s treatment of the barons.
The king kept on oppressing one or other of the nobles of the kingdom, either by extorting money from them unjustly or by stripping them of their privileges or properties. He became manifestly and notoriously odious and detestable to both God and man. Moreover, his insatiable avarice and gluttony were concealed from no one when he prohibited all fowling and taking of game birds and prevented the nobles from hunting.
Matthew Paris, Flowers of History, written before 1253
Source D: King John makes concessions in Magna Carta about his treatment of the barons.
No scutage or aid shall be imposed in our kingdom, unless by the common counsel of our kingdom, except for ransoming our person, for making our eldest son a knight and for once marrying our eldest daughter; and for these only a reasonable aid shall be levied. And to obtain the common counsel of the kingdom about the assessing of an aid (except in the three cases aforesaid) or of a scutage, we will cause to be summoned the archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls and greater barons for a fixed date and to a fixed place.
Magna Carta, June 1215
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Answer
