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King John
Magna Carta
Born
Family Tree
Reign
Illiteracy
Ireland
Betrayal
Opposition
Excommunicate
Death |
Born at Beaumont Palace, Oxford, John was
the fifth son of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine.
John was a younger half-brother of Marie de Champagne and Alix of
France. He was a younger brother of William, Count of Poitiers, Henry
the Young King, Matilda of England, Richard I of England, Geoffrey II,
Duke of Brittany, Leonora of Aquitaine and Joan of England.
John was always his father's favourite son, as the youngest he could
expect no inheritance, hence his nickname, "Lackland". He was almost
certainly born in 1166 instead of 1167, as is sometimes claimed. King
Henry and Queen Eleanor were not together nine months prior to December
1167, but they were together in March 1166.
Also, John was born at Oxford on or near
Christmas, but Eleanor and Henry spent Christmas 1167 in Normandy. The
canon of Laon, writing a century later, states John was named after
Saint John the Apostle, on whose feast day (December 27) he was born.
Ralph of Diceto also states that John was born in 1166, and that Queen
Eleanor named him.
His family life was tumultuous, with his older brothers all involved in
rebellions against Henry. Eleanor was imprisoned in 1173, when John was
a small boy. Gerald of Wales relates that King Henry had a curious
painting in a chamber of Winchester Castle, depicting an eagle being
attacked by three of its chicks, while a fourth chick crouched, waiting
for its chance to strike.
King John
Magna Carter Born
Family Tree Reign
Illiteracy Ireland
Betrayal
Opposition Excommunicate
Death
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