This resulted in hugely disaffected barons who had owned land on both sides of the channel and who now faced divided loyalties. Most had to choose whether to give allegiance to England or France. They were not pleased either with John's methods to augment his revenue from fees. John, perforce, spent more time in England than his father, or brother Richard, and he proved to be an able advocate of a reformed, reliable legal system that is the basis for our present judicial system. However, this only really applied to free tenants who could appeal against their baronial lords. Peasants, subject to the local power of each manor lord, were rarely considered. The barons too had a far more difficult time with a vindictive John who simply did not trust them.
John levied taxes for military campaigns that did not happen. He charged huge sums for the right to inherit lands and castles, for widows not to have to remarry, and sold appointments. Wealthy Jews had a dreadful time as money was extorted from them. Charters for towns, markets and for various rights, were sold. A new income tax and import–export taxes were implemented. If barons could not pay their lands were seized. John even antagonised William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, considered the epitome of loyalty, though he appointed him on his deathbed in 1216 to rule England, as head of the Regency Council for his 9 year old son Henry III.
However, the worst case, considered infamous even in the turmoil of these years, was that of William de Braose whose power base included Abergavenny, Brecon, Builth, Radnor, Kington, the Three Castles of Grosmont, Skenfrith and White Castle, as well as lands in Normandy, Wales and Ireland. He inherited the Monmouthshire lands from his mother, daughter of the Earl of Hereford. He was hated by the Welsh as he had massacred the Welsh leaders who had been invited, in peace, to a Christmas feast at Abergavenny Castle in 1175. He and his wife, Maud, generously supported the Priories of Abergavenny and Brecon, perhaps through genuine devotion, or as a form of 'religious insurance policy' for their salvation after death. Although William was an immensely powerful Marcher Lord, he was still subject to the whims of the king.
William served as Sheriff of Herefordshire, and fought for King Richard and for John in France. He had actually captured Arthur and was in charge of him when he died. Indeed, John granted him the tenure of the Three Castles perhaps as reward for his silence concerning Prince Arthur. Then de Braose's fortunes reversed, probably because of his knowledge of Arthur's death. Initially, John demanded a colossal, and so unpayable, 40,000 marks from him [c.£13 million now]. Then he fell out of John's favour so completely that his lands were sequestered, forcing him to flee to Ireland. Returning, he allied briefly with Llywelyn the Great against John but again fled, disguised as a beggar to France, dying soon after. His wife Maud and their eldest son were imprisoned by John dying, it was widely believed, from starvation. John had shown that his cruelty and vindictiveness knew no constraints and the appalled barons took careful note for their own safety.
Evidence for King John's religious convictions was considered meagre at the time. Many people did hold deep religious convictions but, even if one did not, most people felt obliged to comply with religious duties through fear of the unknown after death. John, though, was witty at the Church's expense, joking and blaspheming, even questioning doctrine and avoiding taking Holy Communion. However, although his Church donations were few, he did make offerings to the poor and it may be that this was why he was a devotee of St. Wulfstan, a former Bishop of Worcester known for his championing of the poor. It was apposite that John was to be buried in Worcester Cathedral. It is difficult to be sure whether John was merely impious or was actually opposed to the Church structure. He did have clerical friends but many chroniclers were churchmen who viewed John through a prism of anti–clericalism.