2. Background Information William the Conqueror Norman (in France) who claimed the throne of England October 14, 1066 is the last time England was invaded successfully at the Battle of Hastings CLAIMS ALL OF ENGLAND AS HIS PERSONAL PROPERTY.

3. Background Information Henry II Introduces use of the jury in English courts Creates a unified system of law "common" to the country

4. English Common Law A system of law "common" to the country through or over time based from the people’s customs.

5. Background Information John John took the throne in 1199 A.D. Cruel, ignorant, and unpopular king

6. King John King John angered his barons by: Raising taxes Taking money for wars (which he kept losing) Arguing with the Pope and trying to take control over Church decisions Threw people in jail for no good reason

7. King John  barons/nobles nobles look for a way to limit the kings’ powers and protect their own rights in return

8. 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

9. Magna Carta  Magna Carta means “Great Charter” and it focused on the rights of the nobles

10. King John signing Magna Carta

11. The Ideas and Effects of the Magna Carta 1. 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 [Due Process] 2. Must consult lords before raising taxes [power-of-the-purse]

12. The Ideas and Effects of the Magna Carta 3. Could not interfere with or limit the freedom of the church 4. Most importantly, the Magna Carta required that everyone- even the king- had to obey the law [Rule of Law]

13. Changes after Magna Carta Conflicts still continued until (and after) his death the following year The Magna Carta lived on inspiring the English to find more ways to limit the king’s power

14. Changes after Magna Carta 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 Parliaments support

15. Changes after Magna Carta The Magna Carta was the source of many of the important ideas contained in founding documents of the United States Magna Carta => Declaration of Independence => Bill of Rights