ABSTRACT
To anyone who would contend that Magna Carta was a mere tool for inconvenienced, threatened, and overtaxed barons in King John's reign, the Charter of Henry I stands as an insuperable obstacle; for this first English "liberty document". When Henry died without a male heir, his nephew, Stephen of Blois, seized the throne. Practically in extremis, Stephen reconciled with his cousin Henry of Anjou, the grandson of Henry I. Upon Stephen's death the latter ascended the throne as Henry II. The document that became known as Magna Carta was consented to in 1215 by John, which identified him as king of England and Ireland. Initially John appeared to comply with the many requirements of the Charter, but in fact he sought to revoke the promises he had made. In September, the king recalled all the liberties in the charter, and repudiated its restraints upon him. John died in October 1216 and was succeeded by his son Henry III.
