Magna Carta

Magna Carta was an agreement between the nobles and the King. The nobles agreed that the King could continue to rule. For his part, King John agreed to follow the law and the traditional rights of the nobles and the Church. For example, he promised to consult the nobles and the Church leaders before imposing special taxes. ​

He also agreed that “no free man” could be jailed except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land. This idea eventually developed into a key part of English common law known as habeas corpus, or body of proof. ​

In many ways, Magna Carta only protected the rights and privileges of nobles. However, as time passed, the English people came to regard it as one of the foundations of their rights and liberties.​

The power of the king had been permanently damaged, and no king of England was ever again unrestricted or 'absolute'. Within half a century, England had a parliament to represent the wishes of the barons to the king.