Rochester Castle

Why Rochester Castle was under siege

in 1215

John became king in 1199 but by 1215 he accumlated many enemies which led to the siege

of rochester castle. Although King John owned many castles, he could not live in them all at one time, so he had to leave people in charge of the castles. When he did, he hoped that he could trust them to remain loyal to his cause.

john had owned nearly as much land in France as in he did in England. But by 1204 he lost a lot

of his french territory; including Normandy. When a war erupted between France and England he was made unpopular because people from England had to go and fight in France. The barons didn't like him because they weren't getting good jobs and poor foreigners were, the public didn't like him because he lost a lot of land in France and so the war with France which was hugely expensive.

John kept on trying to get back his lands in France all though his life. He tried to get as much money as possible from people in England, including the barons, to pay for armies. He charged heavy taxes to their dislike. If he did not like a baron he would fine him, even if the baron had not broken any laws. When a baron took over from his father, he had to pay a special tax, called a 'relief'. Therefore, many of the barons were in debt. John couldn't feel he could trust his Barons and so he gave more of the important jobs in England to the poor foreigners because he thought they would be grateful to him. This made the Barons even less happy with John.

john needed to have access to the Rochester because the country was on the verge of war and the castle was of strategical importance to John because it was on the main route from london to the south coast and it would be bad for john if the routes were blocked

John spent a lot of time arguing with the church leaders. It was unfortunate for John that the Pope at that time was very strong minded as well. So when the Arch Bishop of Canterbury died in 1205, both John and the Pope argued who should get the job next. the pope nominated Simon Langton to take the position of Arch Bishop. Neither men would compromise; and after three years of disagreeing the Pope took action and that year all the clergymen in England stopped working. From 1208 - 1213 the church strike lasted, this was a very long time for people because everyone was very religious and believed in Christianity. johns interference with the church angered the public because they were unable to go to church this to them meant that they would go to hell. Eventually King John gave in, in hope that the Pope would help him in his fight with the Barons. Langton was appointed, it was also

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