The Magna Carta was a major step in the evolution of democratic government. It set a precedent for many other governmental constitutions to come. Issued by King John on June 15th, 1212, the Great Charter gave written recognition to the concept that the monarch's power should be limited instead of an absolute power (Speilvogel p285). The document also guaranteed the freedom of the church and that the king could not intervene on baronial privileges. The creation of the Magna Carta was spurred by series of numerous events.
The Conflict with the barons began long before King John was in power. Almost one century before, his great grandfather, King Henry I, received a proposal similar to the Magna Carta. Henry made no effort to reconcile with the barons. The heavy taxation and the constant encroachments of royal justice aroused a rebellious feeling among the barons (Catholic Encyclopedia). By the time John claimed the throne in 1203 the hostilities had fortified. King John didn't do anything to settle the baron's aggression. In fact he made situations worse.
1. Speilvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization. Third Edition. St.Paul, MN: West Publishing Company, 1997.
Immediately following the acceptance of the Charter, King John acted as though he were going to obey the new contract. By the end of the summer John had displayed no intention in following through (Adams p140). The barons realized that if they wanted John to comply to the Charter, they were going to need some drastic measures. Civil War soon began again. This time John didn't surrender so easily. He was stronger now and he was able to fend of the barons once again. The baron's loss would have caused great turmoil to the Magna Carta if it weren't for King John's sudden death in November of 1216. Under the rule of Henry III the Magna Carta was reissued again.
he early part of John's reign the loss of the greater part of his French conquest discredited him and led to constant demands for money. John continued to discredit his reign by refusing to accept the Pope's political appointment and rapidly becoming a money
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