Magna Carta
When was the Magna Carta signed?
June 15, 1215
What is Magna Carta?
A Charter of Rights.
How many clauses were there in the original Charter?
63
What type of document is the Magna Carta?
A contract
In what century was the original Magna Carta signed?
The 13-century.
Where was the Magna Carta signed?
At Runnymede.
How many noblemen were on the Council of Nobles?
5 and 20 or 25.
How did the noblemen get king John to agree to sign the Magna Carta?
They refused to obey him unless he agreed to sign the Magna Carta.
What was the Common Council?
A group that decided whether the king could use his power in a certain way.
Where in Magna Carta does it talk of Due Process?
Article 40: "...no one will refuse or delay right or justice"
What do we now call "a lawful judgement of his peers?
A Jury of your peers.
Who was the King vassal to?
God/The Church.
What was the main way the king over used his power?
He would collect taxes from people and raise taxes even higher.
What was the purpose of Magna Carta?
To limit the king's power.
What is the most important idea that later governments took from Magna Carta?
That a ruler must follow the laws like everyone else. The King is not a law unto himself.
What is another name for the Magna Carta?
The Great Charter.
What is another name for the noblemen?
Barons.
What right did a freemen who was acused of crime have?
They had the right to have a fair trial by their peers/equals.
According to Magna Carta, who has the right to impose taxes?
Which three groups are granted the rights described in the Magna Carta? (article 1)
1. God/Church
2. The Nobles themselves and all free men
3. Future generations
What does it mean, "to no one will we refuse or delay right or justice"? What do we call this today?
Due Process of Law
Who were King John's parents?
King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine