Defeat at the Battle of Bouvines

• In February 1214, John set sail for France with few barons accompanying him but with a large treasury
• John was believed to have spent £135000 on the campaign paid through a scutage and feudal fines on the barons and knights
• On 27th July a battle was fought at Bouvines where John’s main ally, Holy Roman Emperor, Otto IV, led an army that outnumbered Philip
• The French defeated Otto’s army and ended any hope John had of restoring Angevin rule to Normandy
• John returned to England with nothing to show for the heavy taxes taken from the English people and the barons became rebellious