The Magna Carta, meaning "Great Charter" in Latin, is a historic royal charter of rights agreed upon by King John of England on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede near Windsor. It was created to make peace between the unpopular king and a group of rebel barons who demanded the protection of their rights and limitations on the king's power
. Key points about Magna Carta:
- It was the first document to establish the principle that the king and his government were not above the law
- It guaranteed protection of church rights, protection from illegal imprisonment, access to swift and impartial justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown
- The charter consisted of 63 clauses, mostly dealing with feudal customs and justice system regulation. Only four clauses remain valid in English law today, including the famous clauses 39 and 40, which protect due process and the right to justice
- It marked the beginning of significant limitations on the English monarch's power and influenced the development of constitutional law and human rights in England and other countries
- Though initially annulled and leading to civil war, it was reissued and became a foundational document for English constitutional history
Magna Carta is considered a cornerstone of constitutional government and a symbol of justice, fairness, and human rights, inspiring freedom movements worldwide
