Summary of Dan Jones' Magna Carta

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 King Henry II was a man who made an impression. He was physically not much to look at, but his character made him unforgettable. He had near-boundless energy. He was able to spend almost his whole life moving about his lands, and he enjoyed the fact that his physical exertions prevented him from getting fat.#2 Henry II s reign in England was marked by his love of control. He was prepared to break the power of the few English barons who dared to defy him, but he left the rest in no doubt as to whom they owed their positions of wealth and prestige.#3 The Exchequer was the most important institution of royal government under Henry II. It was there that the king could levy heavy financial penalties on those who displeased him. The Exchequer received fines imposed by the king s judges, and it handled bribes paid by landholders who sought royal favor in disputes with their neighbors.#4 Henry II s reign saw the beginnings of the royal system against which the Magna Carta was aimed. The Crown began to extend its reach down into English society, and its law became more available, desirable, and widely used than ever before.