Magna Carta in British History - Essay Example

The barons, unable to bear the pain of the king’s extra taxes, rebelled in June 1215 and captured London, though not entirely, forcing the king to enter into a peaceful settlement with them. This resulted in the signing of the Magna Carta which aimed at limiting the powers of the king while protecting certain rights of his subjects such as the right against unlawful imprisonment (For Know It- Alls 4). Of great concern to the king was clause 61 or the security clause which made him a ceremonial monarch as it stipulated much power for the barons over the king. ( For Know It- Alls 9)

The document has 63 clauses and can be divided into three sections: the first section deals with the position of the Catholic Church in England, the second are clauses that stipulate that the king will be less harsh on the barons and the third are clauses that concern England’s legal system. (History learning site 1). Alchin 1, records that Archbishop Stephen Langton and the most powerful barons of medieval England drafted the contents of the Magna Carta, putting into rest the question of authorship.

Magna Carta, a document signed by King John in1215 did lay a strong foundation for the liberties of not just England but it was to later influence the liberties of Anglophones, the United States and the drafting of the United Nations Human Rights. Read More