The Magna Carta (Great Charter) was signed by King John in 1215 at Runnymede (a meadow by the river Thames). It was a document written by Archbishop Stephen Langton and the most powerful English Barons. King John signed a document called the Articles of Barons on June 15th which set out the demands of the barons. This document was further revised and issued as the Magna Carta on June 19th. and the barons renewed their allegiance to the King by swearing the Oath of Fealty (promise of faithful service). Commonly it is accepted that the Magna Carta was signed on June 15th.
So what was the Magna Carta about? The Magna Carta seriously reduced the king’s powers and allowed the creation of the first parliament. It comprised 37 laws including the right of appeal against false imprisonment. It was the basis for the constitution and citizens rights, not only for the UK, but also the US Bill of Rights of 1776 takes some of its Articles (Article 21 is fundamentally the appeal against imprisonment) from the principles laid down in the Magna Carta. Prior to the Magna Carta the king had complete power over the country including raising taxes, going to war and taking land as he wished. Given all the issues being currently raised about the conduct of UK MP’s perhaps it is right to remember the previous system and that things are not that bad!