1. The Magna Carta

2. Richard I, Lionheart
Henry II’s son Richard became the next King of England, reigning for 10 years
…but spending less than 6 months in it!
He was usually on Crusade!
1192 He was captured and Held for Ransom, taxes were raised, and church goods confiscated to pay the
150,000 Marks
(twice the king’s yearly income!)

3. John
Soon after Richard returned, he died fighting in France and John became King.
John fought an expensive and losing war in which he lost father’s French fiefs
John raised Taxes to pay for the war
John often blackmailed barons by accusing them of crimes and judging them himself
1215 The Barons rebelled and forced him to sign the Magna Carta

4. The Fourth Lateran Council
The Pope called a Grand Council in 1215
It dealt mostly with Heresy and the misbehavior of priests (drunkness, greed, getting married etc.)
But it also in Canon 19 forbids the blessing of water and hot iron for judicial tests or ordeals.
Thus the Barons insist on jury trials in the Magna Carta

5. The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta established the Rule of Law in England by making the King subject to the Law
It also gave certain rights to the Barons (Peers) including:
# 12 No tax should be imposed without the approval of a ‘Common Council of our Kingdom
(No taxation without Representation)

6. #38 No one could be arrested without witnesses against him
# 39 No Freeman can be punished without a trail by a jury of his peers
# 40 The King will not sell, deny or delay justice
(right to a fair and speedy trial)
This became the basis for many rights the English and later we would have.