The road to Runnymede 1213
1213, England. Having lost Normandy, King John is levying scutage yet again. The northern barons have gathered and begun reading an old charter aloud. You are a young baron who inherited an estate in Mercia from your father last winter.
Historical background
After losing Normandy to Philip II of France in 1204, King John repeatedly raised burdens such as scutage, inheritance reliefs and fines for widows' remarriage to fund a war to win it back. Excommunicated after quarrelling with Pope Innocent III over the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury, John made peace in 1213 by surrendering England to the pope as a fief. But when his allies were defeated at Bouvines in 1214 his continental dream collapsed, and in May 1215 the barons renounced their allegiance and seized London.
On 15 June 1215, in the meadow of Runnymede beside the Thames, John set his seal to a charter limiting royal power — the document later called Magna Carta. The barons drew on Henry I's old Charter of Liberties, and Archbishop Stephen Langton mediated. When the pope annulled the charter two months later, the First Barons' War broke out and the barons invited Prince Louis of France. After John died in 1216 the regent William Marshal won the Battle of Lincoln in 1217, and the charter was reissued in 1216, 1217 and 1225.
Who you are
You begin as a baron who inherited his father’s estate last winter, holding land in Mercia. As a lord from the start, you can use the Realm and Diplomacy tabs at once. Hugh, an old retainer, Matilda, a widow being pressed to remarry, and Roger de Bray, a neighbouring lord, are the people of this life.
The current of history: Magna Carta
With the invitation "The road to Runnymede" you are summoned to the barons’ gathering. Through the stages that follow — the meadow by the Thames and the Battle of Lincoln — you decide which side your seal and your sword are on.
Sides you can take
- The barons' side Demand the charter from the king with the other barons. You win your peers’ trust and the king’s hatred.
- The king's side Keep faith with King John. You may win royal favour — and the lands of rebel barons.
Tips
Questions and answers
How close is this scenario to real history?
The loss of Normandy in 1204, scutage, the reconciliation with the pope in 1213, Bouvines in 1214, Magna Carta at Runnymede on 15 June 1215, the First Barons' War and Prince Louis, the Battle of Lincoln in 1217 and the 1225 reissue are all historical. The starting map, realms, real historical figures and the major events of the current of history follow actual history. You and the companions, rivals and loves around you are fictional people who could have lived then, and once you start, history may diverge according to your choices and those of the AI rulers.
What station do I start in?
You start as a 34-year-old baron — a lord — with an estate in Mercia. You are a vassal of the Kingdom of England and have just inherited your father’s land.
Is it free? Can I play right away?
Yes. Crown & Plough is a free browser game with no account and nothing to install. The "Start in this scene" button on this page opens the scenario's intro screen directly, and progress is saved automatically in your browser. It works on phones too.