King John : treachery, tyranny and the road to Magna Carta

King John is familiar to everyone as the villain from the tales of Robin Hood - greedy, cowardly, despicable and cruel. But who was the man behind the legend? Was he truly a monster, or a capable ...

King John is familiar to everyone as the villain from the tales of Robin Hood - greedy, cowardly, despicable and cruel. But who was the man behind the legend? Was he truly a monster, or a capable ruler cursed by ill luck? This book draws on contemporary chronicles and the king's own letters to bring the real John vividly to life.