John I (may 30, 1199 – oct 19, 1216)

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third son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was Henry's favorite son after the suppressed revolts. He attempted to usurp Richard's throne while he was away on the Third Crusade. He married Isabella of Angouleme (in an effort to obtain her lands, which were strategically vital in the effort to hold on to Aquitaine) in 1200, which reignited the war with France (John "stole" Isabella from her betrothed Hugh de Lusignan, who she promptly married after John's death.). John lost the Duchy of Normandy and most of his other French lands to Philippe II, resulting in the collapse of the Angevin Empire and contributing to the subsequent growth in power of the French Capetian dynasty during the 13th century. A baronial revolt in 1215 led to the sealing of Magna Carta, a document sometimes considered an early step in the evolution of the constitution of the United Kingdom. The signing did not lead to lasting peace, as John and the loyalist barons repudiated the doctrine, beginning the First Barons' War. The rebel barons were aided by Philippe's son, the future Louis VIII, who claimed the English throne for himself. John died as the war settled into a stalemate.

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