In 1215, The Magna Carta was brought up in a field in England known as Runnymede. The Magna Carta was a charter that was targeted against the deranged king of England at the time, King John. The Archbishop of Canterbury wrote up the charter to make peace between King John and barons who despised him. Dan Jones explains the history of King John and the Magna Carta in an article he had wrote for the Smithsonian. In his article, “The Mad King and Magna Carta,” the author Dan Jones begins with a short narrative of when he had visited Runnymede. While he was there he found that, “There was little to indicate that we were near the spot where, 800 years ago, King John agreed to a peace treaty with his rebellious barons.” Jones then compares the Magna
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One significant way in which they vary is that the textbook provides more information on what the empire was like when John’s father, Henry II, was the ruler. The textbook explains how Henry II was the one to setup the courts. The textbook states, “Henry II was especially interested in extending the system of royal justice and employed itinerant judges, who traveled the realm, to render justice. Because these judges began to rely on a “common law” when reaching a decision, people started to look at these royal courts to settle a case, rather than to Church or baronial courts.” In comparison to Jones’ article which only briefly states, “John’s father, Henry II (1133-1189) had been a particularly enthusiastic legal reformer.” The second significant way in which they vary is how they cover King John. The article provides more detail on the actions that made him so hated by the Church and his barons. In his article, Jones explains how John knew how the government and courts worked. Jones lists the various corrupt things King John had done. Jones explains that John “would entangle his barons in massive debts to the crown and then use the courts to strip their wealth.” Jones continues stating, “John also set the military tax known as “scutage,” by which a knight could buy his way out of military service to the crown. And he charged huge fees for his subjects to obtain …show more content…
In his article, Jones uses a formal tone in his writing, which makes it simple for the reader to comprehend the history he is explaining. He begins writing with a narrative style sharing his visit to Runnymede, but then breaks off into an expository style after his experience pushes him to share the history of King John. Jones article completely covers the information starting from John’s life and how it led up to him agreeing to the Magna Carta. The article would be a better choice over the textbook, as it provides a more detailed and descriptive information on John’s life as King of England, including the events that surrounded
One significant way in which they vary is that the textbook provides more information on what the empire was like when John’s father, Henry II, was the ruler. The textbook explains how Henry II was the one to setup the courts. The textbook states, “Henry II was especially interested in extending the system of royal justice and employed itinerant judges, who traveled the realm, to render justice. Because these judges began to rely on a “common law” when reaching a decision, people started to look at these royal courts to settle a case, rather than to Church or baronial courts.” In comparison to Jones’ article which only briefly states, “John’s father, Henry II (1133-1189) had been a particularly enthusiastic legal reformer.” The second significant way in which they vary is how they cover King John. The article provides more detail on the actions that made him so hated by the Church and his barons. In his article, Jones explains how John knew how the government and courts worked. Jones lists the various corrupt things King John had done. Jones explains that John “would entangle his barons in massive debts to the crown and then use the courts to strip their wealth.” Jones continues stating, “John also set the military tax known as “scutage,” by which a knight could buy his way out of military service to the crown. And he charged huge fees for his subjects to obtain …show more content…
In his article, Jones uses a formal tone in his writing, which makes it simple for the reader to comprehend the history he is explaining. He begins writing with a narrative style sharing his visit to Runnymede, but then breaks off into an expository style after his experience pushes him to share the history of King John. Jones article completely covers the information starting from John’s life and how it led up to him agreeing to the Magna Carta. The article would be a better choice over the textbook, as it provides a more detailed and descriptive information on John’s life as King of England, including the events that surrounded