Kings of England and The Magna Carta

William the Conqueror -1066: William led an army of Norman knights across the channel to England -known as the Battle of Hastings o5thpQ/s1600/Battle%2Bof%2BHastings.jpg -English were defeated

William the Conqueror -William became King William I of England -at first English resisted his rule, however, became more accepting after he kept many of their laws and type of govt. -the English learned Norman customs, the French language & architecture, and new artisan skills

Richard the Lionheart -busy with the Crusades rather than ruling England -died in 1199 from an arrow wound

John, Richard’s brother -became King of England - taxes; made nobles angry -1215: forced to sign the Magna Carta

Magna Carta excerpt analysis

"The Church is free to make its own appointments." Meaning: The Church had the final say who was appointed to Church positions of power.

"No more than the normal amounts of money can be collected to run the government, unless the king's feudal tenants give their consent." Meaning: The King was not allowed to demand more money (taxes) from people unless the Great Council agreed.

"No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions... except by the lawful judgment of his peers." Every free male has the right to a fair trial.

Other Magna Carta Declarations -took away some of the King’s power & gave more to nobles -the King is not above the law

-Magna Carta=Great Charter (charters are documents that allow towns to control their own affairs)

Magna Carta Q & A (courtesy of the British Library) Why is it so hard to read? The scribes wrote in medieval Latin. They also followed the usual practice of abbreviating words to save space on the parchment, because it was so expensive to produce. The scribes wrote in medieval Latin. They also followed the usual practice of abbreviating words to save space on the parchment, because it was so expensive to produce.

Magna Carta Q & A (courtesy of the British Library) What kind of material was it written on? The Magna Carta was written on parchment, not on paper. Parchment was the normal writing material in England at the time (it was made from sheepskin) The Magna Carta was written on parchment, not on paper. Parchment was the normal writing material in England at the time (it was made from sheepskin)

Magna Carta Q & A (courtesy of the British Library) There are four known copies of the Magna Carta; why is one burnt? Both copies of Magna Carta in the British Library came from a collection of manuscripts owned by Sir Robert Cotton. In 1731, there was a fire where his collection was kept. Both copies of Magna Carta in the British Library came from a collection of manuscripts owned by Sir Robert Cotton. In 1731, there was a fire where his collection was kept. en_subject/magna_carta.jpg

Magna Carta Q & A (courtesy of the British Library) Why is the Magna Carta so important? It was the first action by an English king to set limits on royal authority. It was the first action by an English king to set limits on royal authority.

Simon de Montfort became King -let more people have representatives in Great Council

Edward the First -made Parliament -gave people an even greater share in the ruling of England

Bibliography England. British Library. The British Library. Claire Breay. The British Library Board. Web. 28 Feb