Magna Carta - One of The Most Important Documents in The Medieval England

Throughout time there were many important documents from the declaration of independence to the constitution. One of the most important documents in the medieval England times is the Magna Carta. Magna Carta was a document that declared that all representatives can have a say in the government so that all the people have a say and King John wasn’t the all-powerful uncontrollable king. For King John to sign it wasn’t the smartest choice because he would be giving up all his power. He didn’t have much of a choice when his army and his people started to rebel back. His army and people decided that King John had too much power and control so they brought forth Magna Carta. The people then declared if he didn’t sign Magna Carta they wouldn’t allow the things he wanted such as waging the wars and raising the taxes. King John then had no choice but to sign the Bill.

Magna Carta had a strong influence both on the United States Constitution and on the constitutions of the various states. However, its influence was shaped by what the 1800’s Americans believed Magna Carta to be a sign of. Magna Carta was had wide beliefs to be the people’s rights against an overpower ruler, a legacy that caught American doubt of concentrated political power. In part because of this tradition, most of the state constitutions included declarations of rights intended to guarantee individual people a list of protection and immunities from the state government. The United States also brought in the Bill of Rights, in part, due to this political conviction. This not being their fault they had no choice and had to see it happen.

England had for some years owned land in France. The barons had provided the king with both money and men to defend this territory. Traditionally, the king had always consulted the barons before raising taxes and wanting more men for military service. This was all part of the Feudal System. So long as English kings were militarily successful, relations with the barons were good. But John was not very successful in his military campaigns. His constant wants and needs for more money and men angered the barons. By 1204, John had lost his land in northern France. In response to this, John introduced high taxes without asking the barons. This was against the feudal law and accepted custom. 1214 was a bad year for John for more reasons. Again, he took a hit with a big military defeat in an attempt to get back his old territory in northern France. He came back to London wanting more money from more taxes. This time the barons didn’t want to listen. They fought back against him. The barons took over London. However, they didn’t defeat King John entirely and by the spring of 1215, both sides were willing to discuss matters. No matter what King John tried to do he was not able to win back his kingdom ship. Magna Carta was the result of these all.