Analysis Of The Magna Cart The Great Charter

Magna Carta was known as the “Great Charter”, a document that King John, son of Henry II, was forced to sign in 1215. It is an 800 year old document that incorporated ideas of controlling the King’s abuse of power. The document remains part of the law in all Australian jurisdictions, as it began as a foundation of the English constitution. The Magna Carta was drawn up on June 15th 1215 at Runnymede, near the River Thames in Surrey. The document’s intention was a peace treaty between King John and his barons. The barons had captured London, which led to John finding himself in a political panic . He needed a solution to maintain his power, Magna Carta being the solution. The document was seen as a symbolic beginning of the rule of law in England. The English people finally had something that would protect them against arbitrary ruling. The Magna Carta contained 63 clauses in …show more content…
One of the most important clauses in this document was clause 39. Clause 39 established the principle of rule and law, along with protecting society against arbitrary rule. It allowed everyone the right to judgment by peers and was seen as the first steps towards the jury system. The clause outlined what modern society would see as, essential human rights. Civil war broke out just after King John granted the Magna Carta. The document became essentially dead. It was not until Henry III came into the throne at aged nine, that the document regained surface. Within a couple days into his reign, men of important who were assisting the young king, issued a newer version of the document, in attempt to regain the baron’s support. Once Henry reached the age of 18, he reissued a new, revised version in 1225. In 1297, Edward I enrolled the Magna Carta on the statute book. It was now apart of English law. The Magna Carta is seen as the beginning of the jury system, and still to today, influence