A rebellion by northern barons led to a meeting between John and their leaders at Runnymede on the River Thames.

The northern French barons who joined his Crusade saw an opportunity to acquire land, wealth and trading advantage by subjugating the fiercely independent southern nobility.

An army comprised of northern barons, Catholic inquisitors and mercenaries and collaborators set camp at the foot of the mountain.

Ranulph was based in the north midlands and was charged with stopping the northern barons linking up with Louis in the south.

John's rule was strongly opposed by the northern barons, so the castle at Scarborough was fortified as a strategic stronghold.

Meanwhile, Godfrey's actions have stirred up the northern barons, who march to meet King John and demand the signing of a charter of rights.

It may be that the king expected him to take the opportunity to marry her and become a northern baron, but William seems to have had grander ambitions for his marriage.

The castle subsequently became the property of the northern barons.

(20) By 1247 the northern French barons had borrowed this imperial rhetoric to justify reducing the powers of the Church.

From then on the castle became crown property and was an important base from which the king could control the northern barons.