1212. The pope deposed John, and offered the crown to Philip II., who began to make active preparations for an invasion. 1213. The English crossed the channel, captured some French ships, and burnt Dieppe. John surrendered the kingdom to the pope, and received it back as his vassal. 1214. Philip defeated an allied English, German, and Flemish army at BOUVINES, in Flanders (July 27). 1215. The English barons, unable to bear any longer the arbitrary and tyrannical government of the king, took up arms against him, and compelled him to grant a charter, known as _MAGNA CHARTA_. The pope annulled the charter; and the king, refusing to abide by it, collected foreign mercenaries, and ravaged the lands of the barons. Magna Charta (or the Great Charter), is justly recognized as the keystone of English liberty. It contained 63 clauses, among the most important of which were that no freeman should be dispossessed of his property, imprisoned, or outlawed contrary to law;--that justice should not be sold, delayed, or refused to any one;--that no one should be fined except by his peers, and in proportion to his fault;--that no taxes save certain therein specified should be granted except by parliament;--that justices should go through each county four times a year to try causes;--that weights and measures should be justly fixed;--and that merchants should have liberty to enter and leave the country, except in time of war. WITH THE GRANT OF MAGNA CHARTA COMMENCES THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH NATION. 1216. The confederated barons offered the crown to Louis (son of Philip II., and husband of John's niece). He accepted their offer, and landed in England. HENRY III., of WINCHESTER. =D.= He was the eldest son of John. =B.= at Winchester, 1207. =M.= Eleanor, daughter of Raymond Berenger, count of Provence. =Dd.= at Westminster, Nov. 16, 1272. =R.= 56 years (1216 to 1272). 1216. The king being only nine years old, the earl of Pembroke was appointed regent. 1217. Louis' army defeated at LINCOLN (May 20). Hubert vanquished and nearly destroyed a fleet sent to assist Louis, who now finding his cause hopeless, returned to France. 1219. Death of Pembroke. His authority shared between Hubert de Burgh and Peter des Roches: the latter retired from office in 1224. 1225. The Great Charter confirmed and ratified in the form it has ever since retained. The chapters relative to forests and warrens had been withdrawn from the charter a few years before, and, with certain modifications, formed into a separate charter, called the Charter of Forests, which was now confirmed. 1232. Hubert de Burgh removed from office, and succeeded by his old rival, Peter des Roches. 1242. Henry invaded France, and was defeated by Louis IX. at TAILLEBOURG in Saintonge.