In 1215, a groundbreaking document was sealed at Runnymede in England: the Magna Carta, or “Great Charter.” This bold agreement between rebellious English barons and King John set a precedent for limiting royal authority and laid the groundwork for modern constitutional law. Though originally intended to protect baronial rights, the Magna Carta evolved into a symbol of justice, due process, and individual freedom. Its influence can be traced through centuries of legal history, including the foundations of the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Magna Carta Signed
The Archbishop of Canterbury acted as a go-between for the feuding Northern Barons and King John, he arranged for both sides to meet at a place called Runnymede on 15 June 1215 to sign the Magna Carta which was confirmed on the 19th June 1215.
Most of the contents contained within the Magna Carta had already been agreed upon by both sides and this was just a formality and the signing of the document that took place.
Magna Carta 1215
King John was not a very nice fellow and at a later date he tried to renege on what had already been agreed in the Magna Carta document, The Lords were having none of it and were not in a mood to compromise.
The Barons then decided to invite Louis the next in line for the French throne to take over from King John, when he found out this information he fled but it was too late and King John was found dead a few the weeks later, it was only a matter of time as he had upset too many people.
Magna Carta | The Great Council
Now that King John was dead the Lords decided to make his nine-year-old son Henry king instead of King Louis and he was crowned King in 1216, at the same time King Louis of France withdrew which left the young King Henry in charge.
This suited the barons as it meant that they could gain control as a boy of this age would be unable to make decisions and understand most issues, so they would in effect be making all the decisions.
Eventually, Henry III was old enough to become King and he then took complete control, the barons did not like this as it meant that they had lost much of their power and they were also uneasy that Henry had decided to marry a French woman.
Magna Carta 1258 Battle of Lewes
The barons decided that the Magna Carta was no longer useful to them and they forced Henry to form what was called a Great Council where all Lords would have a vote on important decisions, however, King Henry reneged on this deal and this forced the Lords to take military action against him and the King’s forces were defeated at the Battle of Lewes in 1264.
King Henry was thrown into prison for the first time in English history and Earl Simon now ruled England he decided to include Lords, Knights, and wealthy townsmen to be part of the great Council, this is how the English Government and House of Commons began.
King Edward battle of Evesham
This arrangement of a great Council didn’t last very long as the very next year in 1265 King Henry III’s son Edward managed to raise an army in Wales.
The battle of Evesham took place in 1265 and Edward the son of Henry defeated the Lords and Earl Simon was killed, this led to the return of Henry III to the throne, who was later succeeded by his son Edward.
Edward I and the Magna Carta
Even though Earl Simon had been defeated King Edward I decided to honor the Magna Carta and continued to be involved with the Great Council, in fact, he was instrumental in taking the Charter forward and he increased the size of the great Council which was now made up of Barons, clergymen, Knights, and townspeople.
This was England’s first-ever Parliament and it became a role model for the rest of the world
Magna Carta Fast Facts
- The Magna Carta was introduced in the year 1215
- The Magan Carta was introduced by King John the son of Richard III
- King John was very unpopular with barons across England because of new taxes and harsh new laws
- King John was killed when he tried to renege on the Magna Carta
- The Magna Carta guaranteed fairer taxes and rules for the Barons of England
- King Henry III succeeded King John who was too young to rule
- King Henry also reneged on the Magna Carta arrangement
- The Lords defeated King Henry at the Battle of the Lewes in 1264
- King Henry III was imprisoned by the Lords and Earl Simon ruled instead
- Henry III’s son Edward raised an army and defeated the Lords at the Battle of Evesham
- Earl Simon was killed in the Battle of Evesham
- Edward the I Henry’s son became the King of England
- Edward I continue to honour the Magna Carta and consulted the Great Council
- Edward I improved the council and expanded who could attend
- The great Council later became England’s first parliament
- The word parliament originated from the French word for talking
- The Magna Carta was the first document on the road to democracy in England
