Which English king died of dysentery?

King John and the End of an Era

On October 19, 1216, King John of England passed away from dysentery at Newark-on-Trent. He was caught up in a grueling military campaign in eastern England during the final turbulent months of his reign.

Ruling from 1199 until his death, John is most famously remembered for sealing the Magna Carta in June 1215. This landmark document was forced upon him by rebellious barons to limit royal power and protect feudal rights, though John sought its papal annulment almost immediately after agreeing to it.

His death came at a critical crossroads in English history, effectively plunging the nation deeper into the First Barons' War while leaving behind a complicated legacy defined by political conflict and the foundational seeds of constitutional governance.