The Magna Cart Impact On English History

The Magna Carta is a document that made a huge impact on English history. Signed in 1215, this forever impacted the way of government. This limited the power of kings forever in England. It was originally delivered by King John of England as a political crisis solution. The Magna Carta established that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. Within the sixty-three clauses that were written, most of them dealt with unfairness throughout King John’s rule. This essay will establish the history of the document itself, and the impact it has had on our country’s history.

There are quite a few historical events that lead up to the signing of the Magna Carta. Starting in 1066, the French Normans conquered England by defeating the Anglo-Saxons.

This led to Anglo-Saxon nobility being forced to pledge allegiance to the conquerors. With this came the new idea of Anglo-Saxon and Norman marriage. The blending of these cultures brought changes such as the English language, and a more powerful English monarchy. This new monarchy produced a legal code that applied to all of England that was called common law. Eventually, kings tried to gain control over the church, which gained tension between the Catholic Church and the English monarchy. In 1204, King John lost control over land in northern France, which led to him displaying higher taxes without consulting with the barons. This act went against the feudal system. After his angering of the Roman Catholic Church, the pope banned church services and excommunicated King John in 1209. This meant that John was not able to go to Heaven unless the excommunication was withdrawn by the pope. The situation led to the King accepting the power of the Catholic Church and giving them many privileges in 1214.
In 1215, King John faced a crisis against the barons.

Revolving from this crisis came the Magna Carta. It was signed between the barons and King John in June, 1215. This became one of the most important documents in Medieval England. When John tried to gain back his northern French land, he was defeated again. He came back to England demanding more money for taxes. The barons didn’t listen to him and rebelled against his power. His abuse caused the revolt of the barons. They started a civil war and captured London under the leadership of baron Robert FitzWalter. Then, the barons wrote their complaints about the king. They demanded that a document that promised justice be drawn up, which was called the Article of the Barons. The King then decided to consult with the barons, and met with them at Runnymede, on the River Thames. This was partially revised four days later and named the Magna Carta. On June 19, a few days after it was signed, the rebellious barons made peace and renewed allegiance oaths to King John. The Magna Carta established the rights of barons and other powerful leaders. It also says that all free men have a right to justice and a free trial as well as many other things involving people and the church. This states that nobody is above the law. With the guidance of this document, it influenced English history. It provided a structure for the relationship between the king and his subjects. The Magna Carta also shaped the meaning of the modern era. The English

Parliament also comes along with this signing, as well as declining monarchical power, declarations of individual rights, and ideas of a “higher law” in English history. The Magna Carta has also had an influence on American history. Ideas displayed in the Magna Carta are displayed in documents such as the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. Rebellious colonists looked to the Magna Carta as an example to demand liberty from the English crown. Many of the 50 states constitutions can be traced back to the Magna Carta.
The Magna Carta will forever be an influence in England and America. Signed in 1215, it helps to build the foundation of our government today. The negotiations changed the relationships of those of higher power and without power to a more connection between the two. Generations ahead, as well as ones in the past celebrate the signing of this document. The United States’ Founding Fathers used this agreement to form the basis of their own government, resulting in freedom from England. This document will forever live on as a document that changed the USA and England for all time.