preview

Magna Carta Dbq

Decent Essays

In year 1215, one of the most significant documents was signed by King John, the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta was constructed to reduce powers by King John, and to make him regulate the country by the old English law. King John came to an agreement with a group of people who had been rebelling against him- the barons, he promised the group he would observe standards of conduct. The Barons were a group of 25 men that did not agree with King John. They were unhappy with King Johns greed and cruelty. The group allocated clause 61, ensuring the king complies with the terms. The document guaranteed: freedom for the English church, protection of the law for all free men, and freedom from excessive fines and taxation on citizens.

The Magna Carta is the foundation of our constitution, and has become a part of English law. There are things from the Magna Carta that still apply in our constitution. For example, in chapter 39 of the document it was stated that “No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned, or disseised, or outlawed, or banished, or any ways destroyed, nor will we pass upon him, nor will we send upon him, unless by the lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land.” This is allowing everyone to be heard in their own defense. This is relating to the United States fifth amendment of the constitution. King John was known for punishing his enemies without trial, him signing the Magna Carta took away his power to do such. …show more content…

The paper confronts assumptions about the English and UK constitutional framework leading up to the Magna Carta and other documents that both lead up to, and follow it. Our constitution has roots in English common law and written law. Common law was in place and used before written laws were created. The Magna Carta was emplaced to end common law in England. The Manga Carta was the first written laws that shifted the English political system to something

Get Access