The use of arbitrary power

• Between 1209 and 1214, John virtually closed the law court at Westminster and judicial eyres in the counties so only his own approved judges were permitted to hear cases
• John’s barons fell out with him by failing to repay their debts, especially in the case of William de Braose
• Sometime in 1207-8, John claimed that de Braose owed him money and was ordered to hand over his sons as hostages until the debt was paid
• De Braose was chased from his lands and escaped into exile, but his wife and eldest son were captured and put into prison, where they starved to death