2. WHAT IS THE MAGNA CARTA?
The Magna Carta is a document that King
John of England (1166 - 1216) was forced
into signing. King John was forced into
signing the charter because it greatly
reduced the power he held as the King of
England and allowed for the formation of
a powerful parliament. The Magna Carta
became the basis for English citizen's
rights.
3. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE MAGNA
CARTA?
The purpose of the Magna Carta was to
curb the King and make him govern by
the old English laws that had prevailed
before the Normans came. The Magna
Carta was a collection of 37 English laws
- some copied, some recollected, some
old and some new. The Magna Carta
demonstrated that the power of the king
could be limited by a written grant.
4. WHO WROTE THE MAGNA CARTA?
The content of the Magna Carta was
drafted by Archbishop Stephen Langton
and the most powerful Barons of
England. King John signed the
document which was originally called
the 'Articles of the Barons' on June
10, 1215. The barons renewed the Oath
of Fealty to King John on June 15, 1215.
The royal chancery produced a formal
royal grant, based on the agreements
reached at Runnymede, which became
known as Magna Carta. Copies of the
Magna Carta were distributed to
5. IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE
MAGNA CARTA
Key Dates relating to the event: The Magna Carta was
signed by King John on June 15, 1215
Other names for Magna Carta: It is also referred to as the
Magna Charter or the Great Charter
Where was the Magna Carta signed? The Magna Carta was
signed by King John in a meadow at Runnymede in
Egham, Surrey, South England ( between Windsor and
Staines)
Key People relating to the event: King John of
England, Archbishop Stephen Langton and the Barons
Why the Magna Carta was famous and important to the
history of England? The charter is considered to be the
beginning of constitutional government in England. The
Magna Carta demonstrated that the power of the king
could be limited by a written grant.
6. SUMMARY OF THE MAGNA CARTA
The Church - The Church was to be free from
royal interference, especially in the election
of bishops
Taxes - No taxes except the regular feudal
dues were to be levied, except by the
consent of the Great Council, or Parliament
The right to due process which led to Trial by
Jury
Weights and Measures - All weights and
measures to be kept uniform throughout the
realm
7. WHY THE MAGNA CARTA WAS
IMPORTANT TO THE HISTORY OF
AMERICA
The Magna Carta is considered the founding document
of English liberties and hence American liberties.
The influence of Magna Carta can be seen in the
United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. Article
21 from the Declaration of Rights in the Maryland
Constitution of 1776 reads:
"That no freeman ought to be taken, or imprisoned, or
disseized of his freehold, liberties, or privileges, or
outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed, or
deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the
judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land."
8. KING JOHN AND THE MAGNA CARTA
In 1205 King John quarreled with the Pope Innocent III about who should be archbishop of Canterbury. The
Pope wanted a man named Stephen Langton to be archbishop, but King John swore he should never
come to England.
In 1209 The pope retaliated, excommunicated King John and banned all church services in all parish churches
King John gave in, and Pope Innocent made the king and people pay him money whenever he demanded it.
Taxes levied by King John were extortionate. His reprisals against defaulters were ruthless and his idea justice
was considered avaricious
In 1212 King John imposes taxes on the Barons in his attempts to regain the lost lands of Aquitaine, Poitou
and Anjou
King John quarrels with the Barons over his methods of ruling England
The Barons and Stephen Langton decided to curb the King and make him govern by the old English laws that
had prevailed before the Normans came. The demands of the Barons were documented in the 'Articles of
the Barons' in January 1215
The Barons took up arms against King John
The Barons captured London in May 1215
In June the Barons, in full armor, took King John by surprise at Windsor and he agreed to a meeting at
Runnymede
King John signed and sealed the document on June 10, 1215
The barons renewed the Oath of Fealty to King John on June 15, 1215
The royal chancery produced a formal royal grant, based on the agreements reached at Runnymede, which
became known as Magna Carta
Copies of the Magna Carta were distributed to bishops, sheriffs and other important people throughout
England
King John had no intention of abiding by the Magna Carta. His duplicity leads to the Barons War between 1215
- 1217. The rebel barons support the son of the king of France, Prince Louis in preference to King John.
