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by The British Library

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On the 19 June 1215 at Runnymede King John signed the Magna Carta. (This means Great Charter.)

It was the first formal document stating that a King had to follow the laws of the land and it guaranteed the rights of individuals against the wishes of the King. This meant people couldn't be arrested, imprisoned of have their possessions taken away except by the judgement of his equals and/or the law of the land. This laid the way for trial by jury which means people are tried by their peers and guaranteed the civil rights of the individual.

The Magna Carta established the principle that the people of England, at this stage represented by the Barons, could limit the power of a King, if he was doing things that were not good for the country
(BBC - Pimary History)

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King John is best known as the nasty ruler of the Robin Hood stories, but he did a lot of good for England, by signing the Magna Carta. He was the first ever king to play by a set of rules.

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This is one of the four remaining copies which were sent across England.

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the Lionheart

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Richard, the Lionheart, King of England had spent much of his reign outside England fighting wars in the Middle East and France. To pay for these he had taxed the English heavily. In 1199, Richard died and his brother, John Lackland became king.

John continued to fight wars in France but he kept losing battles. He needed more money so his government in England ruthlessly demanded more taxes from the nobility who were expected to pay tax if the King asked.

The Barons became very unhappy about John exploiting their loyalty and belief in his complete power. They rebelled and took over London and forced John to negotiate.

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The Magna Carta was written in Medieval Latin on parchment. The scribes wrote in tiny letters because the parchment was very expensive

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Magna Carta Memorial at Runnymede near Windsor

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This is the seal of King John which would have been attached to the Magna Carta.

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King John signed the Magna Carta at Runnymede on the 19th 1215

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King John signed the Magna Carta at Runnymede on the 19th 1215