Why the Magna Carta was created – A History of England’s King John I
Event
Summary/Important Points
1 - Richard the Lion-Hearted’s rule.
Richard becomes King of England+W. France. He
continues democracy & unfies the kingdom under
common law. After his death there is a struggle for
the crown between John & Arthur.
2 - The Struggle for Richard’s sucessor.
John becomes king, which makes Arthur upset since
he is from W. France. So to keep peace, John gives
Arthur land in W.F. – must get okay from French
King.
3 - John marries Isabella
4 - John kills Arthur.
5 - John raises taxes.
6 - The Archbishop of Canterbury.
John steals a French noble’s fiance. The noble gets
upset and complains to French King, who invades
W. France to punish John. Arthur gets mad at John
for losing the land
To avoid conflict, John kills Arthur! Arthur was
well liked in France, so French Nobles tell King to
declare war on England. England loses war and all
French territory
To pay for war, John creates new taxes and raises
existing taxes 11 times in 7 years. Nobles get angry
& complain – so John suspends democracy.
John & Monks can’t agree on an Archbishop, so
each nominate their own. Pope Innocent is upset
and disallows both choices and picks his own
Archbishop (Steven Langston)
7- John vs Pope Innocent.
John kicks all Monks out of England. Pope kicks
John out of the religion and tells King of France to
invade England. John Backs down accepts
Langston, allows monks back, gives church land w/
low taxes –nobles have to pay difference.
8 - The Magna Carta is signed
Nobles force John to sign Magna Carta guarantees
rights (political, legal, church) – weakens king’s
power
What is in the Magna Carta?
Magna Carta Clause
Clause 1
Summary/Important points
King cannot interfere with Church business
(separated church/state)
Clause 2
A person cannot be imprisoned w/o jury trial.
There shall be no delay in the trial (right to a fair &
speedy trial)
Clause 12
No taxes shall be imposed unless agreed upon by a
council of citizens representing the people. Allows
England to form a Parliament.
Clause 20
Punishment shall be in proportion to the crime
committed (punishment should fit crime) –
punishment decided by royal court/jury
Clause 34
Nobody’s property can be taken/searched without a
warrant being issued by a royal judge/jury
Clause 38
People can’t be imprisoned without reliable
witnesses and a trial.
Clause 39
Everyone gets equal treatment under the law and
right to a trial (due process)
Clause 40
All people have the right to not be imprisoned
unless they are charged with a crime (Habeas
Corpus)