King Henry II

• 2 sons

  • Richard the Lionheart

    • Captured

    • Ransome placed

  • John “Lack land” “soft sword”

    • Lost land

    • Taxed the nobles (barons)

      • Rebels against John

    • Cruel to his subjects

    • Took away the right to self-govern

    • Alienated church

Written in Runnymeade on Thames

• After the rebellion against John

• Signed by John (begrudgingly)

Why written:

• Protect feudal rights → limit the power of the king

• Guaranteed rights:

  • No taxation without representation

  • Jury trial

  • Protection of the law