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After Richard's death, John did not gain
immediate recognition as king. Some regarded his young nephew, Arthur of
Brittany, the son of John's brother Geoffrey, as the rightful heir.
Arthur vied with his uncle John for the throne, and enjoyed the support
of King Philip II of France.
The conflict between Arthur and King John
had fatal consequences. The war upset the barons of Poitou enough for
them to seek redress from the King of France, who was King John's feudal
overlord with respect to certain terrorities on the Continent. In 1202,
King John was summoned to the French court to answer the charges.
King John refused and, under feudal law,
because of his failure of service to his lord, the French King claimed
the lands and territories ruled by King John as Count of Poitou.
The French promptly invaded Normandy, King
Philip II invested Arthur with all those fiefs King John once held
(except for Normandy), and betrothed him to his daughter Mary.
As part of the war, Arthur attempted to
kidnap his own grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, at Mirebeau, but was
defeated and captured by John's forces.
King John
Magna Carter Born
Family Tree Reign
Illiteracy Ireland
Betrayal
Opposition Excommunicate
Death
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