[January 19, 2018] Last night I watched the movie Robin Hood (2010) starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. While the movie itself did not rate highly among its critics, what I liked about it was its reference to a great betrayal that occurred during 13th century England. Leadership means understanding the great accomplishments of humankind and why certain events took place; the movie hints at this.
Today’s blog entry is not a historical rehash of those times in England nor is it about the movie itself (which was done well, in my opinion, if you discount accurate history). But, if we were to look back over the times of humans we would find many instances where events took place that were pivotal and advanced the human cause.
One such event was the First Barons’ War (1215-17). Most of us Americans and others except the English and French are probably unaware of this war and the reasons it occurred and its aftermath. What we do know about is the document known as the Magna Carta (more accurately called the Magna Carta Libertatum) translated from Latin to mean the “Great Charter of the Liberties.” It is the last word in its name that is overlooked.
The First Barons’ War resulted from unpopular King John of England’s refusing to accept and abide by the Magna Carta which he sealed on June 15, 1215. Today, we refer to this event as a great betrayal because King John went back on his word to cede much of his power to a group of rebellious major landowners (commonly referred to as barons).
The “law of the land” is one of the great watchwords of Magna Carto, standing in opposition to the king’s mere will and later to any person who would become so powerful that the common man would become mere servants. The Magna Carta is something that few countries, outside of the West, have accepted but the document (and its philosophical underpinnings) has influenced all law across nearly every nation on Earth.
The Magna Carta, first drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, was designed to make peace between the King John and the rebellious barons. It promised protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the English Crown. This was no small advancement to individual human rights and thus became a symbol for any law or philosophy advocating for freedom and liberty.
Ultimately, the First Barons’ War was about the lack of trust and confidence in King John of England and his poor leadership as viewed by the barons. And, as we know, trust and confidence is one of the pillars of great leadership. Those that lived many centuries ago have given us the fundamental documents which support this very idea.
Leaders should be aware of the First Barons’ War and the great betrayal that underlies the formation of the Magna Carta Libertatum. By doing so a leader can execute his or her duties because they understand the reason behind what leaders do. Remember that good leadership means getting people to do things they would not typically do because they want to do it.
“Want” means that a person has internalized a desire. Freedom and liberty are two things that all peoples of all nations want. In recorded history, the First Barons’ War is the historical beginning of the path to that desire.
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