1215 & All That!

A historically accurate, gloriously chaotic freeform about Magna Carta, barons, bishops, outlaws and a teenage Scottish king who has invaded England by accident.

15 Players 3 Acts 2–3 GMs 2–3 Hours
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Cover showing King John forced to sign Magna Carta
About the Game

Magna Carta, Politics, and Cheerful Anarchy

1215 & All That! is a theatre-style LARP set during the real crisis of 1215: a year of rebellion, invasion, ecclesiastical quarrels and constitutional invention. The historical scaffolding is solid; the behaviour of the characters does not have to be. Players take on the roles of kings, queens, barons, bishops, outlaws and people who really should not be left in charge of anything.

No stats, no combat — just politics, persuasion and performance

  • Clergy are the only literate characters.
  • Disguises always work (except on King John).
  • You cannot die until Act III unless the GMs approve.
  • Outrageous melodrama is historically justified.
Three-Act Structure

How the Story Unfolds

Act I — Nottingham Castle

Rebels, royalists, Scots and outlaws collide, argue, negotiate and make entirely unrealistic demands.

Act II — Runnymede

Magna Carta (or something vaguely resembling it) is debated, imposed, sabotaged or dramatically misinterpreted.

Act III — Canterbury Cathedral

Oaths are broken, revelations surface, and final bargains are struck. Dramatic deaths now permitted.

Between Acts players gallop around the room on imaginary horses to the theme from “The Adventures of Robin Hood”.

The Cast

Fifteen Roles — All Leads

King John
Trying not to sign anything.
Alexander II
Teen king. Already invaded England.
Nicolaa de la Haye
Castellan of Lincoln, actual adult.
FitzWalter
Leader of the rebel barons.
Langton
Archbishop, conflicted.
Isabella
Queen, clever, dangerous.
William Marshal
Greatest knight alive.
Hubert de Burgh
Justiciar with secrets.
Philip Marc
Unpopular Sheriff.
Alice de Scriven
Prioress, healer, witch?
Hugh Bigod
Witch-burning enthusiast.
Robin Hood
Currently imprisoned.
Will Scarlet
Charming menace.
Rosamund
Legendary, inconveniently alive.
Baldric
Peasant, possibly relevant.
Downloads

Run the Game

The PDF includes rules, setting background, all character sheets, GM advice and historical notes. Free for cons, clubs and private games. Hope you have fun!

⬇ Download 1215 & All That! (PDF)