Difference Between Magna Carta

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The Magna Carta of 1215 laid down the rights of English Citizens. Similarly, to how the U.S Constitution does the same thing for American Citizens. Many of the rights found in the Magna Carta can be found in our Constitution. There is, however, a difference between the two documents, relating to how and why they were formed. England played an important role in the formation of both of these papers.

Surrounded by his own barons at Runnymeade, King John I was forced to sign the Magna Carta of 1215. This signature makes him give away power from the king and gives more power to the common people. This document also makes it clear that even the king is not above the law and cannot take rights away from English Citizens. In …show more content…

During his reign, he suffered severe debt from his brother and lost Normandy and Anjou to Philip II. Normandy and Anjou are places of pride and great income, so the loss of these places sent him deeper into debt and loss of his image. Then, Pope Innocent III and John have an argument over the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Pope then excommunicates John and interdicts all of England. In order to receive salvation, England must become a fief of the Church and pay them a yearly fee. Finally in 1215, in the result of over taxation, his Barons revolt making him sign the Magna Carta at Runnymeade. This reduces the power of the crown greatly and provides power and rights to the common …show more content…

The nobles believed he was to weak to hold any power, as he had less land than his vassals. However, slowly his power began to increase by winning the support of the church and making the French throne hereditary, the Capetian dynasty lasted 300 years. The next important King of France was Philip II (Augustus). His rule lasted from 1179 to 1223 during this time, he quadrupled royal land ownings through trickery, diplomacy and war. But, his most important gains of land were Normandy, Anjou and areas taken from the Albigensians.Before he dies, he was the most powerful ruler in

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