Magna Carta

In 1215 a group of nobles decided to force the king to respect their rights. In the middle of a field called Runnymede near London, they made King John approve a document they had written. This document listing rights that the king could not ignore was called Magna Carta . Its name is a Latin phrase meaning “Great Charter.” Magna Carta required the king to honor certain rights.Magna Carta inspired the English to find more ways to limit the king’s power. A council of nobles was created to advise the king. In time, the council developed into, parliament the lawmaking body that governs England today.

Effects

King increase power

The English continued to work to secure and protect their rights. To ensure that everyone was treated fairly, people demanded that judges be free of royal control. Many people believed judges chosen by the king would always side with him.