Josie MahonJosie Mahon

What is the Magna What is the Magna Carta?Carta?

Means “Great Charter”Means “Great Charter”Is a series of written promises between Is a series of written promises between the king and his subjects the king and his subjects Says that the King would govern Says that the King would govern England and deal with the citizens by England and deal with the citizens by the customs of feudal law the customs of feudal law An attempt by the Barons of England to An attempt by the Barons of England to stop their King from abusing his powerstop their King from abusing his power

First issued in the year First issued in the year 1215 1215 Officially signed June Officially signed June of 1215 by the Barons of 1215 by the Barons of Medieval England of Medieval England and by King John and by King John Signed in Runnymede Signed in Runnymede near Windsor Castle near Windsor Castle

Picture beside: King John signing Picture beside: King John signing the Magna Cartathe Magna Carta

King John’s Mistakes King John’s Mistakes He wasn’t successful in He wasn’t successful in his military campaigns his military campaigns Constant demand for Constant demand for more money more money In 1204 he lost his land In 1204 he lost his land to Northern France to Northern France He then introduced He then introduced higher taxes with out higher taxes with out asking the Barons asking the Barons That was against the That was against the Feudal law and Feudal law and accepted customs accepted customs

More Mistakes More Mistakes King John angered the Roman the Roman King John angered the Roman the Roman Catholic Church because of his behavior the Catholic Church because of his behavior the Pope banned all church services in England in Pope banned all church services in England in 1207, which angered and upset the people 1207, which angered and upset the people moremoreHe later gave the Church back their privileges He later gave the Church back their privileges in 1214 in 1214 Again in 1214 John trying to get back his Again in 1214 John trying to get back his territory in Northern France, he tried territory in Northern France, he tried demanding more money from taxes but the demanding more money from taxes but the Barons said noBarons said noSpring of 1215 both sides finally decided to Spring of 1215 both sides finally decided to discuss matter, resulting in the Magna Cartadiscuss matter, resulting in the Magna Carta

About the Magna About the Magna Carta Carta

Divided into sections Divided into sections The 1The 1stst clause concern clause concern that positions the that positions the Catholic Church in Catholic Church in EnglandEnglandThat follows states That follows states that John will be less that John will be less harsh on the baronsharsh on the baronsMany clauses concern Many clauses concern England’s legal England’s legal systemsystem

More about the More about the Magna Carta Magna Carta It promised that laws It promised that laws

would be good and fair would be good and fair Everyone shall have Everyone shall have access to courts, that cost access to courts, that cost and money should not be a and money should not be a problem if any person problem if any person wants to take their wants to take their problem to the courts problem to the courts States that no freeman will States that no freeman will be imprisoned or punished be imprisoned or punished without going through the without going through the proper legal system proper legal system

The Barons The Barons Twenty five barons were given the Twenty five barons were given the responsibility of making sure the responsibility of making sure the King carried out what was stated in King carried out what was stated in the Magna Carta the Magna Carta If the King did not the Barons could If the King did not the Barons could use force if needed use force if needed

Seal of Approval Seal of Approval The royal seal of King John was The royal seal of King John was stamped on the Magna Carta stamped on the Magna Carta It was to show the people that the It was to show the people that the Magna Carta had his royal supportMagna Carta had his royal supportThe red seal (beside)The red seal (beside)

Important Important Pictures Pictures

Buttom left, Cathloic Church

Top left, Runnymede

Buttom right, King John’s Castle