The Magna Carta & the Monarchy
History: KS3, topic 2.5.3
The Impact of the Magna Carta on the Monarchy
The Magna Carta was a turning point in English history. It was the first time that the King had given in to the barons and done as they wanted.
Limiting the monarch's power
- Ultimately, no future monarch had unlimited power after the Magna Carta.
- This meant that no monarch had ‘absolute’ authority.
A declaration of human rights?
- The Magna Carta was not self-consciously a declaration of human rights. But, in later years, people claimed it was. For example, in the 17th century.
- Today, historians argue that the Magna Carta was a negotiation between the barons and King John. It was mostly concerned with feudal (landlord) rights and the system of justice, rather than human rights.
Test yourself on The Magna Carta & the Monarchy
According to historians, who was King John negotiating with through the Magna Carta?