Magna Carta

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The late 12th and early 13th Centuries were expensive for people living in Britain. Each time the King lost a war abroad, he raised taxes, made people sell their possessions and would imprison them if they refused.

The Barons became very unhappy with how the King was treating them and so forced him to agree to the Magna Carta, meaning the ‘Great Charter’. The Magna Carta set out a series of laws for everyone to follow, even the King, and was sealed at Runnymede on 15th June 1215.

Of the 63 clauses, 3 are still in use. These include a defence of the rights of the English Church, the liberties and customs of London and the right to a fair trial.