7. John’s Reign, a Chronological Summary.

-1166: John was born in Oxford England, Henry II's fourth son. His elder brother Richard was also born in Oxford of the same mother, the Franco file, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard was 9 years older.

-1177: John was appointed King of Ireland aged 11.

-1189: Richard became King of England and Ruler of half of France and immediately goes on a Crusade. William Longchamp is made Justicar. Prince John is 23 years old and gets married to Isabella from Gloucester making John Earl of Gloucester and King of Ireland. This was a marriage of convenience. John being the youngest son of Henry II had no land as it had been already given away. Isabella brought him most of the land of Gloucester. This loveless marriage was one of the reasons John had so many mistresses, some 12 in total producing as many illegitimate children.

-1191: John ousts Longchamp and takes over as ruler of England in Richards absence. John is 25. He is energetic but could be cruel and unjust.

-1194: Richard returns to England but only stays a few months before he returns to his beloved France to defend the lands being attacked by King Phillip of France.

-1199: Richard is killed in France and John becomes King of England and 50% of France. John is now 33. But the coronation is disputed by Prince Arthur John’s elder brother Geoffrey’s son. Arthur is supported by the powerful Phillip King of the other 50% of France.

-1200 :John having failed to produce any children has time to fall in love for the first time, a 12 year old French princess, another Isabella but of Angouleme and granddaughter of the previous King of France. They eventually produce 5 children.

-1200-03: Fighting in France. John and the English Barons against his nephew Arthur and Phillip of France. The Battle for who rules in western France, the English or the French. And for the identity of the English, are they half-French of solely English. John lost. It is not reported that John was a useless general but more that Philip was particularly good.