English Magna Carta?

Question

Does anybody know the importance of the English Magna Carta and can explain to me a little about what it is?

Answer 1

The Magna Carta was a document that was signed in England (though I'm not sure by which king) that gave more rights to some of his subjects. Those subjects being his nobles. Up until that point, whatever king wanted, king got. Then around the time period it was signed (which I believe was 1215 ad, but I'm not sure on that), the King wanted to go to war. The nobles of his time refused to fight with him or give him any troops (because at the time the nobles ruled over the plots of land and all their peasants living on the land would have to fight any time the nobles ordered it, but the king would rule the nobles and so he still basically had all the power).

The King at the time then signed the Magna Carta so the nobles would fight with him against the enemy (which I believe was France). This gave various rights to the nobles, and said no king would be able to take those rights away. So while it didn't provide rights for everybody, it was an important step in democracy because it made the way for a government in which the single leader at the top had the only rights. With more effort in the future, rights would be given to more and more people (a process that continues to this day, but we have a real chance now of giving complete rights to everyone).

Answer 2

the Magna Carta took away power from King and Queen and that they couldn't be above the law.

Answer 3

Facts about Magna Carta

The Great Charter of English liberty granted (under considerable duress) by King John at Runnymede on June 15, 1215

http://www.britannia.com/history/magna2.html

http://www.bl.uk/treasures/magnacarta/magna.html

http://www.magnacartaplus.org/magnacarta/

A P European History Topics and Web Links Page.

http://www.historyteacher.net/APEuroCourse/EHAPTOpics_WebLinksPage.htm

Click on the blue star ( ) to get the detailed assignment sheet and a list of topics to be covered for each unit of study. Click on the gold star ( ) to go to a page filled with extensive web links to sites and many primary source documents for that unit of study.

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.

Answer 4

Written in 1209, it was the first major revolt against a King - at that time by the English Lords who were tired of John (Richard-the-Lionheart's brother) abusing his position and draining the national treasury on wars they didn't support. It restricted his power, thereby turning it over to "the people" - well at least the Lords. It led to the early formation of less dictatorial government and planted the seeds for democratic government.

Answer 5

It was a document limiting the kings power and giving more power to parliament and the people. the king was supposedly forced to sign it or be killed.