1209. John excommunicated by the pope.
1210. He invaded Ireland, and 20 chieftains repaired to his court, and did homage. The next year he invaded Wales, and dictated terms of submission to Llewellyn, the Welsh chief.
1212. The pope deposed John, and offered the crown to Philip II., who began to make active preparations for an invasion.
1213. The English crossed the channel, captured some French ships, and burnt Dieppe. John surrendered the kingdom to the pope, and received it back as his vassal.
1214. Philip defeated an allied English, German, and Flemish army at Bouvines, in Flanders (July 27).
1215. The English barons, unable to bear any longer the arbitrary and tyrannical government of the king, took up arms against him, and compelled him to grant a charter, known as MAGNA CHARTA. The pope annulled the charter; and the king, refusing to abide by it, collected foreign mercenaries, and ravaged the lands of the barons.
Magna Charta (or the Great Charter), is justly recognized as the keystone of English liberty. It contained 63 clauses, among the most important of which were that no freeman should be dispossessed of his property, imprisoned, or outlawed contrary to law;—that justice should not be sold, delayed, or refused to any one;—that no one should be fined except by his peers, and in proportion to his fault;—that no taxes save certain therein specified should be granted except by parliament;—that justices should go through each county four times a year to try causes;—that weights and measures should be justly fixed;—and that merchants should have liberty to enter and leave the country, except in time of war.
With the grant of Magna Charta commences the history of the English Nation.
1216. The confederated barons offered the crown to Louis (son of Philip II., and husband of John’s niece). He accepted their offer, and landed in England.
Henry III., of Winchester.