King Henry II of England began ruling since 1154, he married Eleanor of Aquitaine and had four sons. His eldest son was William, known as ‘Henry the Young King’, followed by Richard and Geoffrey, with John being the youngest.

When William wanted more power and wealth. After being influenced by nobles he revolted against his father and his two brothers, Richard and Geoffery joined him. The rebellion failed instead it resulted in John becoming his father’s favorite though he still could not become the King. Instead, Richard became the King in 1189 after he led another revolt against King Henry II.

Of course, John tried to rebel against his brother during his reign but it was unsuccessful attempt. He got his wish at last when Richard I died without any legitimate heir. John succeeded him (also known as John ‘Lackland’ because he was not expected to inherit any significant land) with help of his mother’s support despite Richard’s nephew, Arthur I having the support of nobility.

Philip II of France wanted to expand his kingdom and wanted to invade Normandy. After engaging in multiple wars over the years especially Battle of Bovines, John was in shortage of money for military resources.

This made John troubled with how to raise money under the situation he was?

The situation he was under- John was already unfavorable in the public after his defeat and had a strained relationship with Pope over his disagreement with the appointment of the new Archbishop of Canterberry so the He did come up with an idea John but it became the last straw that broke the camel back, breaking the last support, he had.

John decided to raise the taxes to raise money, though it was opposed by the barons but he refused which his caused the drift between the nobles and the John.

THE MAGNA CARTA

The arbitrary rule exasperated the barons to the point they attempted to assassinate him. In retaliation John seized the rebellious barons’ lands. Rather than controlling them, it made barons more rebellious.  

John knew the situation was wrong and did get help from Pope when barons were showing sowing resistance. But by that time the rebellious barons under the leadership of Robert Fitzwalter marched to London and forty barons stormed into the palace and forced John to sign Magna Carta in 1215.

The Magna Carta was written by Archbishop of Canterberry, Cardinal Stephen Langton. It was written in 3500 words on a calf-skin and promised the protection of church rights, protection of barons from illegal imprisonment, containing total of 63 clauses.

It was considered a victory for barons, they could protect themselves.

But John never planned to follow it because three months later under the persuasion of John, Pope Innocent III annulled Magna Carta, declaring it null and void because it violated his rights as a feudal lord. This time rebel barons directly joined Louis VIII of France which was known as First Baron’s War.

The civil war ended after King John’s death. John contacted dysentery and he was brough to Newark Castle to recover where he died. With his death the situation changed and the main reason for the war disappeared.

The barons immediately changed sides and supported John’s eldest son, Henry who succeeded his father and was crowned as the King. Henry III reissued the document in 1216. The charter was revied many times like in 1217, 1225 before it was officially accepted as the part of English Law in 1297.

MAGNA CARTA AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Thus, Magna Carta became the first document to put into writing the principle the King and the government are not above the law, limiting the royal family’s power.

Magna Carta was an important document for Human Rights and the first step towards the modern democracy. Magna Carta was significant in the history as it charactered the right to free trial and limit the taxes. It recognized all men where free and equal.

While in today’s world Magna Carta is relevant to England only but the principle of human rights is universal. Only 3 out of 63 are still present in the law.  

Originally Magna Carta was not created for the purpose of benefitting the society since barons only forced King John to sign the guarantee ‘their right’, the right of nobles. Most of the population at that time were a peasants or slave and they were not considered free men.

The shifts of power from the noble people and parliamentary system consider everybody equal that turned Magna Carta into modern form of Magna Carta that became relevant, otherwise it was made by the barons for their benefit.

The principles were later included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The declaration which was proclaimed by the United States General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948.  

Currently, four pieces of Magna Carta preserved in the museum and library in England.

Citation

Magna Carta, 1215 and beyond.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Lewis, J. (2014). What-relevance-is-the-Magna-Carta-today1. magnacarta800th.com

Magna Carta: Freedom under Law.chertseymuseum.org