Magna Carta or

Magna Carta Libertatum

“Great Charter” or “Great
Charter of Freedoms”

To no one will we sell, or deny,

or delay, right or justice. [40]
 Overview
• Was originally created in 1215 because of disagreements
between Pope Innocent III, King John, and English barons about
the rights of the king.
• Been known to be first document that limit the power of the
English king by law (based of a document called the Charters of
Liberties), and that is a single static document, which these are
false beliefs.
• The Magna Carta has had influence outside of England,
especially with the United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
• Basically almost every common law state has been influenced by
the Magna Carta. Making it one of the most important legal
documents in the history of democracy.
• The document has been renewed throughout the Middle Ages
through the 18th century. By the 19th century most of the clauses
have been repealed for English Law.
Events Leading to the Magna Carta
• King John leader of England, lost much land and
respect from French Barons.
– A vassal to John, his ally Phillip named Arthur to the
throne of Anjou.
– They then invaded John’s French land holdings.
– To save face John killed Arthur and lost the respect of
many of the French Barons.
– John was defeated by his allies at the Battle of
Bouvines where he lost all his northern French
territory.
Events Leading to the Magna Carta
• Problems with the Church
– In the debate of how to choose a Archbishop of Canterbury,
John sent the Bishop of Norwich instead of one of the monks
they elected.
– Pope Innocent III declared this as invalid and had the monks
elect Stephen Langton, but King John refused this and exiled
monks from the land.
– He then put a interdict on the church to prevent worship in
Englan in 1208.
– The pope then excommunicated John, and backed Philip to
invade England in 1212.
– John threatened by the monks gave back their theifdom by
giving them land in England, and Ireland making them pay 1,000
marks annually to do so. This angered the Barons make them
loose autonomy on their own lands.
Events Leading to the Magna Carta
• Taxes
– During this time the government needed money, since
mercenary soldiers cost double in prosperity times.
– The loss of a great mass of the French lands equals
less income, which later resulted in greater taxes.
– Gave rise to the amount of scutage to pay eleven
times in only seven years.
– John also imposed the first income tax which was at
extortionate sums of 60,000 euros.
Events leading to the Magna Carta
• Rebellion
– Getting frustrated with listening to King John during
the time were so many things angered them they
gave up rise.
– By 1215, many barons of England banded together at
too London by force on June 10, 1215.
– Made King John since a document called the “Articles
of the Barons,” which his seal was attached in
Runnymede on June 15, 1215.
– After John signed this document the barons then
renewed their oaths to the king.
 The Magna Carta
• Originally named “Articles of the Barons” which
was reissued a year later, and officially dubbed
the title the Magna Carta.
• Was written originally in Latin.
• King John had no plans to honor the Magna
Carta, since it was sealed under extortion by
force, but clause 61 neutered his power has a
monarch.
• In the many centuries following the document it
was modified to fit the changing times but the
basic clauses are still in the document today.
 What the Magna Carta
did?
• Firstly, the Magna Carta guaranteed the
freedom of the English Church.
• Not to be able to over tax the population.
• King John must be less harsh on the barons.
• Gave England the basis of a legal system.
• Promised to have laws that are good and fair.
• No Freeman would be punished without
going through a proper trial.
 Influence
• The Magna Carta gave the basis of how
Constitutional Law is today.
• Has influenced the United States greatly
which is seen in the United States
Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
• Just about all common law has been
affected by the Magna Carta, making it it
one of the most important legal documents
in the history of Democracy.
A Magna Carta Draft
 Bibliography
1. Wikipedia. 2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 28 October 2006.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta>

2. Coffin, Judith, and Robert Stacey. Western Civilizations. New

York, London: W W Norton & Company.

3. The Avalon Project. 2006. Yale Law School. 29 October 2006.

<http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/medieval/magframe.htm>

Pictures
1. Wikipedia. 2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 28 October 2006.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta>