John's reign, however, was marked by turmoil, including conflicts with the barons and a failed campaign to reclaim the French territories. The most significant event of John’s reign was his forced signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, a document that curbed the king's powers and laid the foundation for the development of constitutional law in England. The Magna Carta demanded that the king respect certain legal rights and established the principle that the king was not above the law. This event symbolized the beginning of a shift towards a more constitutional form of government in England.
The Hundred Years' War and Edward III
The reign of Edward III (1327–1377) saw the Plantagenets face new challenges, notably the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), a long-running conflict with France over territorial disputes and claims to the French throne. Edward III claimed the French crown through his mother, Isabella of France, and his military campaigns were aimed at asserting this claim. The war had a profound impact on the development of England as a centralized state, as it required large-scale mobilization of resources and soldiers.
Edward’s reign was also marked by the development of parliamentary government. During his reign, the English Parliament grew in importance, as kings needed to raise funds for military campaigns. This led to the establishment of regular sessions of Parliament and the recognition of the need for royal accountability to the people. By the end of the war, the Plantagenets had cemented their role as the dominant force in English governance, though they faced mounting challenges from rival factions and nobles. shutdown123