Governing under King John, 1199-1216

• For the first six years of John’s reign, he focused on defending his lands in France and therefore did not create significant change in the government
• Geoffrey Fitz Peter, who had been one of Richard’s justiciars, acted as regent for John
• In 1204, John lost control of Normandy and returned to England where issues started
• John chose ‘new men’ rather than barons to advise him, which angered the barons
• John’s ‘new men’ were dependent on him for their wealth, and exploited their positions for large rewards
• Feudal barons were excluded from government
• John virtually closed the Court of the King’s Bench at Westminster and cases in the royal court could only be heard when he was present
• John’s punishments were cruel, and his treatment of William de Braose and barons started to despise and fear him