Awful, Unlucky or a Scapegoat?
‘Bad’ King John 
10.30-11.30am
Thursday 2nd July
(Mark Barnard)
DAY TALK
 £5.00 

Forever overshadowed by his heroic brother, Richard the Lionheart, the so-called “diabolical” King John of England has gone down in history as England’s worst monarch — weak, cruel, and ultimately responsible for the humiliation of Magna Carta.
But was John truly a villain… or has he been unfairly condemned by centuries of hostile propaganda?
In this compelling reassessment, Mark Barnard explores King John’s turbulent reign, uncovering his often-overlooked connections to Nottingham and Newark-on-Trent. From political intrigue and rebellion to power struggles and personal failings, this talk digs beneath the legend to reveal a far more complex ruler.
Join Dr Mark as he challenges the traditional narrative and asks whether King John deserves his dark reputation — or whether history has been too harsh.