The power struggle between king and nobles reached an important climax during the reign of King John. Enraged by John's despotic policies, nobles and church officials revolted in 1215 and forced the king to issue the Magna Charta, or Great Charter. It set limits on the king's power in many areas, and established the principle that the king was subject to the law. Just before his death in 1216 John disavowed the charter. Later kings, however, were held to its principles. During John's reign England lost most of its possessions in France.