Magna Carta

Magna Carta (British Library Cotton MS Augustus II.106)

King John from De Rege Johanne

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Magna Carta Libertatum (Medieval Latin for "the Great Charter of Freedoms"), commonly called Magna Carta (Great Charter), is a charter of rights agreed to by King John of England at Runnymede, near Windsor, on 15 June 1215. First drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to make peace between the unpopular King and a group of rebel barons, it promised the protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown, to be implemented through a council of 25 barons. Despite its significant influence on the historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law in the English-speaking world, Magna Carta was voided by the Pope, leading to the First Barons' War.

Background

The reign of King John (1199–1216) was marked by conflict between the monarch and the barons. The king's military failures against France, high taxes, and disputes with the Pope over the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury had created widespread discontent among the nobility, who eventually compelled him to agree to the Magna Carta.

Content

Magna Carta contained 63 clauses when it was first granted. Its most significant clauses ensured no taxes could be levied without the consent of the Royal Council, a precursor to the modern Parliament. It also guaranteed the rights of individuals against the wishes of the king, establishing that the king could not proceed with any action that went against the law of the land.

Legacy

Magna Carta has had an enduring legacy. It is considered one of the first steps in a long historical process leading to the development of constitutional democracy in the English-speaking world. Although many of the charter's clauses have been repealed or are no longer in force, it remains a cornerstone of British constitutional and legal tradition. Magna Carta influenced the development of common law and many constitutional documents, such as the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights 1689. It is also considered an early step in the development of human rights.

See also

• Charter of Liberties
• Constitution of the United Kingdom
• English Bill of Rights
• History of democracy