Final answer:
King John punished his nobility by seizing property, arresting relatives, and imposing other severe penalties when they failed to pay raised taxes, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and the signing of the Magna Carta.
Step-by-step explanation:
King John of England is known for his tumultuous relationship with his nobility, which stemmed from his attempts to recapture lost territories and finance wars through contentious financial measures. When the English nobility failed to pay the elevated court fees and inheritance taxes, King John took drastic measures to ensure compliance.
These included seizing their lands and properties, arresting noble family members, and in extreme cases, imposing harsh penalties such as imprisonment or other severe sanctions. The raised taxes that King John imposed were deeply unpopular and were a significant factor contributing to the eventual signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.
This historic document addressed the grievances of the nobility against the king and, over time, has come to be seen as a foundational piece in the evolution of constitutional governance. King John's heavy-handed approach to taxation played a pivotal role in the development of principles that would shape future governance systems.