The Magna Carta was signed in 1215 and challenged King John's absolute authority by establishing limitations on royal power and protections for barons, the church, and common people. It gave people the right to due process and trial by jury, made the church independent from royal interference, and ensured basic rights and laws that strengthened democracy. Many principles of the Magna Carta were incorporated into modern constitutions as it set an important precedent for individual liberties.
2. Importance
The Magna Carta was a charter signed
in 1215 that challenged the monarch
King John’s authority.
It is viewed as one of the most important
documents in the history of democracy.
It gave people the right to due process
which led to the trial by jury.
3. The Church
The Magna Carta gave the church
powers such as freedom from royal
interference in the case of electing
bishops.
Made the church free from interference
by the King in any way.
Made churches more independent.
4. The Barons
The Magna Carta was created by
Archbishop Steven Langton and
powerful barons throughout England.
The barons fought for the freedom for
many years and eventually took over
England in May 1215.
They forced King John to sign the
document at Runnymede castle on June
10, 1215.
5. Effects on the King
The Magna Carta ensured that the King
could no longer imprison people without
a just cause.
It also gave basic rights and laws to the
people which in turn gave them more
power and say in England.
6. Effects on the Feudal
System
The Magna Carta strengthened the
feudal system by taking most of the
power away from the King and giving it
to the people.
No unfair taxes could be imposed
anymore on lower classes.
7. Effects on Democracy
The principles in the Magna Carta set up
the base of democracy in many ways.
Many of the laws and policies included
in the Magna Carta are in our
Constitution along with The Charter in
modern day England.
The Bill of Rights is the closest
comparison to the Magna Carta as it
created basic rights.
