2. Background Information
After King Richard’s death, his younger brother John took the throne in 1199 A.D.
John was a cruel, ignorant, and unpopular king
He received the nickname “Lackland” because he inherited no land from his father

3. King John King John angered his people by: Raising taxes
Taking money for wars (which he ended up losing)
Arguing with the Pope and trying to take control over Church decisions
As a result, a group of nobles began looking for a way to limit the kings’ powers and protect their own rights in return

4. Magna Carta
In 1215, at the meadow of Runnymede, a group of nobles and lords forced King John to approve a document they had written: Magna Carta
Magna Carta means “Great Charter” and it focused on the rights of the nobles

5. The Effects of the Magna Carta
No imprisonment without a trial by jury
*habeas corpus-“you have the body”- meant that people could not be held in jail without a reason
Must consult lords before raising taxes
Must choose competent officials who understand and obey the law themselves
Could not interfere with or limit the freedom of the church
Most importantly, the Magna Carta required that everyone- even the king- had to obey the law

6. Changes after Magna Carta
After King John signed the charter, the conflicts continued until his death the following year
The Magna Carta lived on inspiring the English to find more ways to limit the king’s power
A council of nobles who advise the king was created, which eventually developed into Parliament, the lawmaking body that governs England today
By the late Middle Ages, kings could do little without Parliament’s support