The motive of barons

• The 1214 scutage had caused great anger among the barons
• John’s aggressive pursuit of feudal rights with high fines for inheritance, wardships and widows were extremely unpopular
• The barons were being replaced by ‘new men’ appointed by the king, reducing the baron’s power
• John’s arbitrary powers denied justice to knights and barons
• Accusations of John’s seduction of wives and daughters of some barons had caused significant

  anger and disapproval
• Treatment of the de Braose family scared the barons, and they feared their families may be treated the same if John continued to rule
• Instead of war, the barons decided to make a charter limiting John’s power