Magna Carta King John Essay - 722 words

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 15 th, 1212, the Great Charter gave written recognition to the concept that the monarch's power should be limited instead of an absolute power (Speilvogel p 285). 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. During the 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 hungry tyrant. His political power as well as his popularity began to deteriorate.


John's greed led him to demand more action in France and enforce a heavier tax on the barons. Not tolerating anymore of the king's attempts to take away their freedoms, the barons started their first rebellion in 1212 (Magna Carter). John was able to thwart them with ease this time but he wasn't able to hold them off for long. In June 1215 John was reluctantly forced to deal with his rebellious barons, also called the Army of God and Holy Church on the field of Runnymede (Catholic Encyclopedia). Seeing that he was backed into a corner, John gave way on nearly every point suggested by the barons. Then he approved and sealed what was really a peace treaty that would ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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