John became king in
1199 when his brother, Richard the Lionheart, died without any children.
John had a bad temper and could be very cruel. He was not liked by the
English Barons.
John also had to deal with a lot of issues while he was king. He was
constantly at war with France. To fight this war he placed heavy taxes
on the Barons of England. He also angered the Pope and was
excommunicated from the church.
