The problems John faced

• The English barons did not want another war as all the wars from Richard cost them a lot of money
• John had to give money to the allies that Richard had made in order to keep their support
• Poitou had a long history of resisting Angevin control which meant that John could not concentrate his forces in Normandy
• Arthur of Brittany was under control of Philip and led an army southward to attack John’s castles in Poitou whilst Philip attacked Normandy