The reign of King John (1199-1217) was a tumultuous turning-point in the history of England. Decades of tension with the kings of France boiled over into conflict which saw Normandy, Brittany and Anjou lost. Meanwhile the fractious and restive rulers of Wales sought to exploit any sign of weakness and the kings of Scotland cast covetous eyes on Northumbria. At centre stage was King John, a figure whose distrusting nature made him as ungrateful to his allies as he was spiteful to his enemies. Resentment, hatred and fear pushed many of England's barons into armed defiance, leading to the Magna Carta, an unprecedented compromise limiting royal power. When it was quashed by the Pope, civil war followed.
The Barons' War: King John brings these turbulent times onto the tabletop. It updates the Feudal European retinue list and introduces six more factions to the game: the light and flexible Welsh, the diverse and colourful Scottish, the aggressive Poitevins and the proudly disciplined Flemish, as well as hard-bitten professional Mercenaries and the cunning and desperate Outlaws.
The sourcebook also provides rules and background for a score of the dramatis personae of the story, enabling you to command your troops with the vindictive King John, the chivalrous William Marshal and the scheming King Philip Augustus - or even Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
Ten historical scenarios allow you to re-tell the bloody story of King John's reign, from bitter clashes in the Welsh Marches to the king's harrying of his enemies. You can recreate the titanic pitched battle of Bouvines or follow the stages of the climatic battle of Lincoln.
Whichever side you take, there will be something for you in the first supplement for the new edition of The Barons' War.