Magna Carta

Magna Carta 1217 Baron of King John

Q: Being a Baron, you were one of the men who got this document into place, what were your motives?

A: King John was taxing the Barons without our consent. We did not want to be taxed that heavily. We put the Magna Carta into place because we didn’t want the king to be above the law.

Q: The fighting that put this document into place sent the country into chaos, was it worth it?

A: Yes, it was very worth it. It may have sent the country into chaos for a short time but it will help the people of England greatly in the future.

Q: What is the Magna Carta?

A: Essentially the Magna Carta is a document that states that the king is not above the law, the rights of nobles, due process of law, tax control with Grand Council of Lords, the king can’t interfere with the church, and Parliament has control of the Purse.

Q: How did you get King John to sign this?

A: Originally we presented our ideas to him in the customary way. When he rejected the ideas, we had to take more drastic measures. The other barons and I, with the Church’s support, gathered our forces and defeated the King’s men. With his men defeated he was forced to sign the document.

Q: What is so important about the Magna Carta?

A: It keeps our rulers just. No longer can the king do whatever he pleases. I believe this is the first step to take our society away from kings and queens to a better system of rule.