Alexis Morton

Law 12 ~ September 2011

What is the Magna Carta?

An English charter that challenged the monarch (King John) and their powers

Issued in 1215 Passed into law in 1225 Modified and reissued later in the 13th

c Is also referred to as ‘The Great

Charter’

Who?

King John of England was forced into signing by his barons

It was written by Archbishop Stephon Langton and the barons

King John >

Where?

On June 15, 1215, the Magna Carta was signed in a field in Runnymede in Egham, Surrey, South England

Why?

The barons were unhappy with King John because of:

higher taxes losing multiple wars conflict with the pope

Prince Louis (French heir) and King Alexander II of Scotland supported the barons

King John signed the ‘Articles of the Barons’ with his Great Seal

The barons only then renewed their oaths of fealty to King John on June 19th, 1215

What is the significance?

The Magna Carta founded the English Liberties of today

The rights given to the barons were eventually given to everyone

The Charter overturned the order of powers – removing them from the monarch and giving them to the people

What does this mean to Canada?

Canada was once a colony of England; our rules and laws were written in accordance to British law

Therefore, the Magna Carta shaped our rights and laws that we have today.

Clauses of the Magna Cartastill on statute

Clause 1,the freedom of the English Church

Clause 9 (13 in the 1215 charter) liberty and free customs

Clause 29 (39 in the 1215 charter) habeas corpus – the right to a trail before imprisonment

Important lawsImposed by the Magna

Carta Habeas Corpus – right to trail before imprisonment

Equity – no one is above the law Freedom of the Church Taxes not to be raised besides feudal dues with consent of parliament

Bibliography

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/magna-carta.htm

Magna Carta hand out (wikipedia) All About Law Fifth Edition (Nelson)

The End!

~Alexis Morton