A first book in American history with European beginnings . inpurpose, but they had accomplished something moreimportant. They encouraged travel and trade, drew the Christian nations together,and spread learning and anexchange of ideas. After Richards death Johnbecame ruler of had been away fromhis country a good deal, buthe was brave and kind andthe people were proud of theiicrusader king. John was to-tally different in every wayfrom his brother. He wasselfish, cruel, and cared nothing for his sub-^ jects, and his unjust taxefpressed heavily on everyone. John did n
A first book in American history with European beginnings . inpurpose, but they had accomplished something moreimportant. They encouraged travel and trade, drew the Christian nations together,and spread learning and anexchange of ideas. After Richards death Johnbecame ruler of had been away fromhis country a good deal, buthe was brave and kind andthe people were proud of theiicrusader king. John was to-tally different in every wayfrom his brother. He wasselfish, cruel, and cared nothing for his sub-^ jects, and his unjust taxefpressed heavily on everyone. John did not even sparethe powerful bishops, butseized the rich church lands for himself. So matterswent from bad to worse until the Pope, to punish him,ordered the churches closed. No marriage ceremony orburial service could be held. Such an order in a timewhen everyone thought the church had supreme powerover their future life was a terrible thing. But eventhis failed to bring John to submission. It was onlywhen the Pope threatened to deprive him of his crown, 50. A Crusader. BRITAIN, OR ENGLAND and had already asked the French king to attack Eng-land, that John restored the church lands and promisedreform. For the greater part of his subjects, however, matterswere not improved. Finally his own nobles rose against fB$m>vr \ l L] - 4* $W /^f jaS&yp 1 \( ™ MHH ; King John Signing the Magna Charta. him. The result of their rebellion was the signing ofthe Magna Charta, or Great Charter, at Runnymeadein 1215. This was one of the most important steps in English51 A FIRST BOOK IN AMERICAN HISTORY history. The Great Charter was the foundation of thefreedom of the English people and the rights which werebased upon it benefited the common people as well asthe nobles. The necessity for consent to taxation andjustice for everyone in the kings courts were two of thechief articles. With the signing of this document byJohn, the people made their first step toward populargovernment. Not many year
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