'Bad' King John has the unenviable widespread reputation of being the worst king ever to sit on the throne of England. The open rebellion against his rule in 1215 is the most famous documented in English history, Magna Carta, the 800th anniversary of which is being celebrated this year.
Sean McGlynn shows that King John's reputation for evil and incompetence is well deserved in this new biography. He lost an empire, murdered his young nephew, starved a political opponent's wife and son to death, and ended his reign in 1216 with London and half of England under French control. Ties in with the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta this June.