1215 and All That: Magna Carta and King John

A Very, Very Short History of England #3

by Ed West

1215 is one of the most famous dates in English history, and with good reason, since it marks the signing of the Magna Carta by King John and the English barons, which altered the entire course of English and world history.

John Lackland was born to King Henry II and Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitane in December, 1166; he was the youngest of five sons. However, he unexpectedly became the favored heir to his father after a failed rebellion by his older brothers in 1173. He became king in 1199, though his reign was tumultuous and short. After a brief peace with Phillip II of France, war broke out again in 1202 and King John lost most of his holdings on the continent. This, coupled with unpopular fiscal policies and treatment of nobles back home, led to conflict upon his return from battle. Buffeted from all sides, King John was pushed in 1215 to sign along with his barons the Magna Carta, a precursor to constitutional governance. But both sides failed to uphold the agreements terms and conflict quickly resumed, leading to John's untimely death a year later to dysentery.

Pitched at newcomers to the subject, 1215 and All That will explain how King John's rule and, in particular, his signing of the Magna Carta changed England--and the English--forever, introducing readers to the early days of medieval England. It is the third book in the acclaimed A Very, Very Short History of England series, which captures the major moments of English history with humor and bite.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Historical, Humor, British Literature, Medieval

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2017

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny look at how even the world's worst humans can be responsible for creating something great.
Well, as long as other people decide they've had enough of their shit and blackmail them into signing a document. A document that didn't make any real difference to the barons that made John put his name to paper, but is quoted by countries all over the world as this sort of linchpin to democracy.



Steven Crossley hilariously narrates Ed West's tongue-in-cheek romp through what led up to the signing of the Magna Carta, what happened immediately afterward, and what the document meant in the long run.
There are definitely more in-depth books out there for people who are looking to study the history of that time period, but for anyone looking for something fun and quasi-educational, this is the way to go.



I gotta say that I'm sad to be done with The Very, Very Short History of England series.
I would really love to find more stuff like this to fill my day with, so if anyone has any recommendations, I'd truly appreciate them.
Recommended.

[Melindam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this whole series about English history in stand-up comedy style "for people in a hurry".

This instalment is currently included in the Audible+ catalogue at audible.com and the narrator, Stephen Crossley is excellent in conveying the dry humour and irony that is Ed West's trademark.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a great writer to make Middle Ages history interesting and even a bit exciting. Add a dash of snarky humor and it’s just right. I especially appreciated the detailed history of the Magna Carta and how it effected the US as well.

[Jim Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive and darkly funny history of Magna Carta and alcoholic King John who made the charter happen.

[Noah Goats · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this history of England covering the reigns of Henry II, Richard I, John, and Henry III, focusing in particular on the Magna Carta and its impact on history. It's surprisingly amusing for a history book, which makes it highly readable, but at the same time it's clear that West sometimes plays things up for comic effect. If you have a particular interest in the Magna Carta, I would also recommend 1215: The Year of the Magna Carta by Dan Danziger.

[ruth gaustad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so cool!!

No really, it is a perfect read for anyone looking for the right mix of humor and fact about the document which is one of the most important keystones of our democracy and judicial system. Well researched and just enough to make you want more.

[Geoff Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was the perfect book to learn or help to recall a little of the history around the Magna Carta. Western nations used this document in varying degrees when writing their own bill of rights. This book is well written with some humour so it does not become tedious. Many explanations include how certain words became commonly used expressions today.

[Brent Claflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Summary of King John and the Magna Carta. I knew John was a piece of shit king, but I had no idea how absolutely evil he was! He truly was the worst King England ever had!

It all starts with the Magna Carta. It wasn't really appreciated or honored when it was drafted, but later it became the backbone of Laws. When questions of rights start to be asked, they can never be unasked.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, breezy fun history of an important period and its players.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy, entertaining and informative - an equal parts funny and factual romp through English medieval history.

[Henry Egler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book 1215 and All That: Magna Carta and King John by Ed West covers one of the most important moments in British history in 164 pages. Sounds brief doesn't it? West manages to capture the salient details of of this monumental event with brevity and wit. As the title implies the focus of the book is the signing of the Magna Carta and the king who was forced to sign that document, King John. West takes readers through the events that led up to the Magna Carta including the miserable failings and biography of King John. This may sound like dry reading however in West's hands King John comes to life as the incompetent, cowardly, lecherous, drunken violent, paranoid man that he was. King John will forever be known as one of, if not the, worst king in English history. The book also covers the reign of John's brother, Richard the Lionhearted who was only marginally better than John. Interlaced throughout are interesting facts about Medieval England and the lives of the people at that time. Spoiler alert: It ain't pretty.
As the third in a series of books about British history, 1215 and All That is ultimately readable, enjoyable, and serves as an inviting introduction to history for novices. West manages to blend just the right amount of facts, anecdotes, and humor to keep readers hooked. Case in point: John, when he was still just a prince, was given Ireland by his father, Henry II. John's first act as regent of Ireland was to pull the long red beards of the Irish chieftains who came to pay tribute to their new ruler. John did not improve as a ruler or a human being after this incident. Readers will find themselves agog at John's exploits and those of other rulers. Spoiler alert: The rich are different from you and me.
For anyone who has even a passing interest in history 1215 and All That is just the book to hold and deepen your interest. West makes history come alive in a way that makes readers hungry for more. Thankfully there are 4 other books in the series to be explored.

[Jane Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great easy read for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of 12th and 13th Century history, as well as anyone who wants to understand more about how Magna Carta has influenced British and American law across the centuries. Witty and concise, it’s easy to read and understand and full of fascinating snippets of information. There are a few errors - the myth about people in medieval times drinking ale as the water was too polluted was debunked some time ago - but on the whole it is well researched. Very enjoyable.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous historical telling of the problems of the Angevin kings of England and the lead-up and creation of the Magna Carta. This book doesn't smooth over the faults of its subjects, but rather showcases them to discuss why people (well, I guess the barons) were so unhappy and wanted the monarchy to put in check.

[Bcoghill Coghill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and succinct. I enjoyed it and all I care to read at the moment. I read most of the source books.

[Debby Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information about the events leading up to and after the signing of the Magna Carta and its impact on history. The author has a droll sense of humor. It was a brutal time indeed.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed West's chronicle of the Magna Carta, number 3 in the "Very, Very Short History of England" series, explores the history leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta as well as the impact of the document and those subsequent developments that built on the 1215 document. It is those latter developments that are most important to the story. West shows, after all, how Kings from the tenth century onward (at least) made promises about respecting the rights of the nobility, taxation and justice. Earlier kings made the promises on their accession to the throne and then promptly ignored them. What made the Magna Carta different, West says, is that King John was an epic bumbler who couldn't get away with much after signing the document, and the affirmations and reaffirmations of the Carta in succeeding years. In fact, the Magna Carta itself seems to have been forgotten in the centuries between its signing in 1215 and the birth of the American colonies in 1623. Succeeding generations of Englishmen asserted the rights sketched out in the Magna Carta by emphasizing these were ancient rights of Englishmen, thus maintaining them with an appeal to an ancient origin that both predated the Carta and were mythical at best. From the 17th century on, both American and British expansion seeded the concept of rights and government accountability across the globe. So now, almost universally every Western nation gives at least lip service to protecting these concepts. It's quite a story about the birth of the rule of law, though it is only a quick survey. The entire series has been interesting thus far, but this resonated the most as strikingly relevant in our time.

[Susan in NC · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as back as 1770 there were suggestions that June 15 be made a public holiday in England, and in recent years, the subject has come up again. It could be argued that Magna Carta Day would be a national day based on the rule of law and constitutional patriotism—good ideas that have lasted the test of time.

So each June 15, wherever you are, raise a glass to the hopelessly incompetent, cowardly alcoholic king who made it all possible.

Raise a glass indeed to the nasty King John! I am reading this author’s humorous and concise English history series because I have enjoyed them while learning so much, and have learned which bits of history I would like to learn more about - his footnotes and bibliography provide helpful tips there.

I can’t help but be reminded of the Saturday morning “Schoolhouse Rock” cartoons of my childhood in the U.S., where concepts of history, grammar and civics were set to catchy tunes and accompanied by humorous cartoons. We learned so much, and had fun doing it! I believe that’s what sparked my love of history - that and being lucky enough to have wonderful history teachers and professors, of course.

These topics needn’t be dull - I appreciate a teacher or historian with a passion for his or her subject, and the creativity and humor to convey it in writing (or audiobook, the narrator does a wonderful job). I look forward to seeing whether West can help me make sense of the War of the Roses…

[John McNair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and entertaining book, written in an engaging style that makes early English history quite enjoyable. It's a very cursory look at the high points of early English history and the impact on today of events back then. It does not claim to be an in-depth study and that in itself is a very definite appeal of this particular book. However . . . the one fatal flaw - not the author's doing - is that the Kindle version of this book is a terrible format by which to read this otherwise fine piece of writing. The 'cast of characters' is lengthy and convoluted, and one can easily get lost as the story weaves from event to event, century to century and country to country. And you can't flip back to refresh your memory of a certain person, or place, or event! At least not easily. So, I read the book and enjoyed it a lot, but I cannot say that I have any kind of understanding of English history of the period, or that I remember very many key events. It was lost on me since I wasn't able to review parts and piece together the threads so that they made sense. A pity, although it's my failing and not the author's. I bought it cheap through Book Bub and you get what you pay for.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining history of the events giving rise to the Magna Carta is mostly an unexpectedly and delightfully entertaining story of the excesses and abuses of British Kings Henry II, Richard I (a/k/a Richard The Lionhearted) and especially King John I, which led to the agreement between King John and 25 Barons known as the Magna Carta, the basis for a government of laws in Britain and, several centuries later, the United States Constitution. Ed West is a clever, witty writer, and he keeps this short history - part of a series of short histories of significant years in British history - moving speedily and amusingly along. Highly recommended for those interested in painlessly learning about the creation of this vital document.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was witty, if not exactly funny as promised. I chuckled at the clever writing and was interested almost throughout the book. The end was a bit tedious listing what was deleted...and all that. The tale worked well using John, the terrible King, as the vehicle which drove the creation of the Magna Carta. I have read hundreds of royal historical fiction books, but I first learned about John from Robin Hood movies (the best obviously RH Men in Tights and the Disney animated movie with Roger Miller music). I apologize Sharon K Penman, you are a historical fiction genius but a singing fox and rapping merry men can’t be beat (music pun very much intended)

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding history of that period and the people and events surrounding the Magna Carta. Does a superb job placing this document in context. Exhaustively researched; provides plenty of detail.

A slow read; takes a lot longer to read than you might expect for a book of a little over 100 pages.

It helps to be a Blackadder fan for several of the jokes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of King John and his family as they deal with the nobles who put forth the Magna Carta. This book is written with humor, it’s an easy read, but as an American, I found that some things are assumed, that I had to look up, and was often confused with the use of he, his, or him. Sometimes it wasn’t clear which person was being referred to. That said, it was an enjoyable read.

[Caleb Hintze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining telling of the context of Magna Carta. It didn’t get into the text, but more the context and the characters behind the Magna Carta and why the barons wanted it. Also briefly touches on the legacy of the Magna Carta.

Very brief but effective in telling the story for someone who doesn’t know the background of Magna Carta.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snarky, sarcastic humor makes an already interesting period enjoyable to read about. This book does not focus on King John and the Magna Carta as much as the cover suggests; it's more a history of the entire period from the Anarchy to Henry III in less than 200 pages. Good overview but just an introduction to the topic (as is intended).

[George Polansky · Rating 3 out of 5]

1215 AND ALL THAT is a good history of the Magna Carta and that Era. However the humor did not lighten the reading. I expected something along the line of 1066 AND ALL THAT a much earlier book by different authors.

[Jim Manis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can History Be Fun?

What a hoot. I kept imagining John Oliver reading this on his HBO show.

The book is informative for the casual reader of history, something on the level of a gen ed course for freshmen.

[David W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good history of the Magna Carta

A humorous and entertaining saga of English History leading up to the Magna Carta. The English Royals described in this book were generally not very nice people and did some despicable things to their countrymen.

[Tom Sells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read

History at its best. Prominent people doing good things and bad. The result is amazing, the attempt to provide freedom and justice for all. The writer makes it all enjoyable.

[Cecilia Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dry reading

I wanted to learn more about the Magna Carte, the whole reason for reading the book. I still have a difficult time explaining it to others and this book has not helped. Easy short read.

[Johannes J Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

This history author got it right by filling in the gaps of boring history of dates, names of the purple and numbers, with gossip, that makes for history to become fun and entertaining. And he has wit and a great sense of humor.....i sometimes laughed out loud. Read it