King John was the youngest son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He inherited the throne in 1199 after the death of his older brother, Richard I. John quickly became unpopular with his barons due to his high taxes and his arbitrary rule. In 1215, the barons rebelled and forced John to sign the Magna Carta, a document that limited the power of the monarchy and established the rule of law.
John is often portrayed as a weak and ineffectual king. However, he was actually a skilled military leader and he successfully defended his kingdom against invasions from France and Scotland. He was also a patron of the arts and he encouraged the development of literature and architecture.
In recent years, there has been a reassessment of King John. Historians now recognize that he was a complex and contradictory figure. He was both a tyrant and a reformer, a weak ruler and a skilled warrior. He was a man who made many mistakes, but he also left a lasting legacy on English history.
Overall, the modern historians have a more balanced view of King John than did the historians of the past. They recognize that he was a flawed ruler, but they also appreciate his strengths and accomplishments.