Magna Carta D58
What is Magna Carta?
The Great Charter of the Liberties of England, is a document that was signed by King John in 1215
The Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, the Magna Carta Libertatum
He signed the document under duress after facing ongoing rebellion from his barons
What was the Purpose of the Magna Carta?
In signing the Magna Carta King John forever changed the power of the monarchy, the rights of an English citizen and the influence Parliament had on the country
The content of the Magna Carta was drafted between the Church and the rebelling barons
The majority of the content was written by Archbishop Stephen Langton and English barons
The Magna Carta was written and designed to reduce the powers held by the King and to make him govern the country by old English laws that had prevailed before the invasion of the Normans
What events led to the creation of the Magna Carta?
It may seem strange that a band of barons were able to wield such power and authority over the king
but ultimately it was the barons that helped the king run both his internal and external affairs
The barons would provide the king with both money and men to defend French territories that were owned by the English
Traditionally, the king would consult with the barons before raising taxes
as it would be the barons who were expected to collect these additional funds
The king would also consult with barons when requesting more men for military service
as they would be the people responsible for sourcing the new soldiers
These practices were all part of what is known as theFeudal System
By 1204, John had lost the lands owned in northern France, and King John increased the taxes to recoup his losses without first consulting with the barons
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