King John Droitwich.
If you have been fortunate enough to find the Kings Visit Cache you will know that its regarding Charles I visiting Droitwich and staying at the now Raven Hotel (formally St Andrews House) This cache is regarding King John, an unpopular king due to him spending most of his reign at War and paying for it through taxing his subjects, this cache however acknowledges his legacy and his popular link to Droitwich
A brief history in a nutshell taken directly from the BBC website
“John was a king of England who is most famous for signing the Magna Carta.
John was born around Christmas in 1166 or 1167 in Oxford, the youngest and favourite son of Henry II. On his father's death in 1189 his brother, Richard, became king. John received titles, lands and money, but this was not enough. In October 1190, Richard recognised his nephew, Arthur, as his heir. Three years later, when Richard was imprisoned in Germany, John tried to seize control. He was unsuccessful and, when Richard returned in early 1194, was banished. The two were soon reconciled and, when Arthur was captured by Philip II in 1196, Richard named John heir.
In 1199, Richard died and John became king. War with France was renewed, triggered by John's second marriage. While asked to mediate between the rival families of Lusignan and Angoulâme, he married the Angoulâme heiress Isabella, who had been betrothed to Hugh de Lusignan. A rebellion broke out and John was ordered to appear before his overlord, Philip II of France. His failure to do so resulted in war.
By 1206, John had lost Normandy, Anjou, Maine and parts of Poitou. These failures were a damaging blow to his prestige and he was determined to win them back. This required money, so his government became increasingly ruthless and efficient in its financial administration. Taxes soared and he began to exploit his feudal rights ever more harshly.
This bred increasing baronial discontent. Negotiations between John and his barons failed and civil war broke out in May 1215. When the rebels seized London, John was compelled to negotiate further and, on 19 June at Runnymede on the River Thames, he accepted the baronial terms embodied in the Magna Carta, which limited royal power, ensured feudal rights and restated English law. It was the first formal document stating that the monarch was as much under the rule of law as his people, and that the rights of individuals were to be upheld even against the wishes of the sovereign.
This settlement was soon rendered impractical when John claimed it was signed under duress. Pope Innocent took his side and in the ensuing civil war John laid waste to the northern counties and the Scottish border. Prince Louis of France then invaded at the barons' request. John continued to wage war vigorously, but his death in October 1216 enabled a compromise peace and the succession of his son Henry III.”
King John and Droitwich.
While King John was in Bridgenorth, some of the town leaders of Droitwich travelled to meet with him, roughly in the July of 1215, where they paid him 50 marks for the Charter. John had the document defined on the charter roll for that year which in 1923 could be seen at the Public Record Office. King John signing the charter gave the burgesses of the town all the brine pits and salt dues in return for an annual payment of £100. King John thus became a special patron of Droitwich. His coat of arms was two leopards, more information can be found about his coat of arms following this link.
https://www.droitwichspa.gov.uk/droitwich-spa.html
"SALT FLAVORS ALL"
2015 marked the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, a document that is viewed by many as the foundation of English law. The Magna Carter (1217 Henry III version) along with the Mappa Mundi can currently be found and viewed at Hereford Cathedral. In 2015 Droitwich celebrated the 800 year anniversary of King John signing the charter.
In 1999 prior to the building of the Queen Street offices excavators discovered a Roof finial from the 13th Century, these were made by potters and were placed on the buildings of wealthy owners or buildings with wealthy connections, this Finial which can be found at the Droitwich Heritage Centre was of a man on a horse, possibly wearing a crown.
In 2016 Droitwich acknowledged the 800 year anniversary since the death of King John, who died of dysentery in 1216.
An interesting note if you are unaware, King John is buried at the neighbouring city of Worcester at the Cathedral, which is well worth a visit if you are in the city.
To find this cache you need to look at this page in more detail. The information required is in the page somewhere.
Good luck and really hope you enjoy. If you require further assistance or an extra clue, message me and l’ll see if I can help.
You will find the cache at the following co-ordinates
N52 (Page number of John's Biography -174) . (A-1) (B+5) (C-3) W002 0(Year of John's Death -1208) . (D+5) (E-2) (F-9)
An Additional hint: For further enjoyment of this cache, please take some time to take the trailhead and read some of the information boards, its magnetic and look low down, nope lower than that.