Magna Carta

Divine Right of Kings

the idea that European monarchs had a God-given right to rule and thus deserved absolute power

Some monarchs ruled with the best interest of their people in mind, others monarchs ruled as despots. A despot is a

tyran, who used their power for selfish ends

According to Aristotle, ideal rulers

cared about the common good

According to Aristotle, corrupt rulers

cared only about advancing their own selfish interests

According to Aristotle, What is the ideal form of government?

a monarchy led by a single, virtuous ruler;

According to Aristotle, rule by a single person could easily lead to

the abuse of power

The power to rule can be used for positive or negative ends. The abuse of power is

the misuse of authority for harmful,unethical, or illegal ends

monarchy

system of government in which a single ruler exercises supreme power based on heredity or divine right. The right to rule passes from one generation of the ruling family to the next

Monarchs who believed in the divine right of kings

did not consider themselves accountable to their citizens, but only to God

What can happen to individuals who dared to question a monarch's actions?

could be put to death

Why might Individuals who dared to question a monarch's be considered sinners against an established religion?

they had flaunted a king who was so close to God

How did King John manage to pay for his campaigns/wars?

he raised taxes in England

By 1215, the nobility of England had enough of paying extra taxation. What did the barons do to show their discontent?

they rebelled and captured London in May 1215

What what purpose did King John met the barons in June 1215?

to try and reach a peaceful settlement

According to the Magna Carta, "The Church is free to make its own appointments."

it had the final say who was appointed to its positions of power

According to the Magna Carta, "No more than the normal amounts of money can be collected to run the government, unless the king's feudal tenants give their consent"

the King was not allowed to demand more and more money from his nobility

According to the Magna Carta, "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions... exce the lawful judgement of his peers"

Everyone has the right to a fair trial

Why do many people see the Magna Carta as a vital piece of English history?

it represents a document where the rights of individuals are protected against the power of the King or Queen

Magna Carta

The document guaranteed that not even the king was above the law and granted English landowners with the right to consult with leaders on political matters

How many of the 63 clauses that the Magna Carta had originally still resonate today?

39

Why did the Barons had an issue with the way King John raised taxes?

he ordered them to pay far more taxes than earlier Kings had done

How did the King agreed to the Baron's demands?

by signing a document known as the Magna Carta - Latin for 'Great Charter'

The Magna Carta established the principle of the rule of law. What is the principle of the rule of law?

the government is based on clear and fairly enforced laws and that no one is above the law