John was a Plantagenet king of the House of Anjou. John's reign had become increasingly tyrannical. To support his wars he had extorted money, raised taxes and confiscated properties. His barons finally united to force him to respect their rights and privileges. John had little choice but to sign the Magna Carta presented to him by his barons at Runnymede in 1215. This made him subject rather than superior to the law. Shortly afterwards, John was at war with his barons.