In 1215, on the field of Runnymede, a document called the Magna Carta was signed. Although unsuccessful in the first instance, the Magna Carta was destined to later lay the groundwork for the American Constitution. What created the need for this document?
In 1215 King John was ruling England. He had made himself somewhat of a tyrant, denying his barons their legal rights under the feudal system. His subjects stood the oppression for a few years, until they suddenly rebelled and met King John on the field of Runnymede. The Magna Carta was essentially a peace treaty which King John sealed on June 15, 1215.
The Magna Carta has several similarities to the Constitution. It guarantees a free church, and also that no one, not even the king, should be above the rule of law. The right to habeas corpus is also derived from this important document.
Today, there are 4 different copies of the 1215 document in existence. Two are in London’s British Library, and two are in the cathedrals of Salisbury and Lincoln.
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