By Joe Woywitka

What is it?

• A charter of 37 freedoms and political rights created by King John of England’s barons.

• It was issued in 1215 and passed in 1225.• Has had a large influence on today’s societies

and laws.

Why?Why?

The charter was written in order to The charter was written in order to put limitations on the King’s power.put limitations on the King’s power.

Issues with the pope, high taxes, and Issues with the pope, high taxes, and losing wars lead to problems losing wars lead to problems between the King and his baronsbetween the King and his barons

King John was forced by his barons to King John was forced by his barons to sign the charter.sign the charter.

Where?Where?

King John was forced into signing the King John was forced into signing the Magna Carta at Runnymede England on Magna Carta at Runnymede England on June 15 1215June 15 1215

Magna Carta MemorialMagna Carta Memorial

The Magna Carta TodayThe Magna Carta Today

Helped form constitutional law.Helped form constitutional law. Although the laws have changed it is Although the laws have changed it is

still the basis of democratic legal still the basis of democratic legal systems.systems.

It founded today’s English liberties.It founded today’s English liberties. Three original Three original

clauses are still clauses are still used today.used today.

Clauses Still in UseClauses Still in Use The freedoms and rights of the English church.The freedoms and rights of the English church. The liberties and customs of London and other The liberties and customs of London and other

towns. towns. No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or

stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled. Nor will we proceed with force against him, exiled. Nor will we proceed with force against him, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.deny or delay right or justice.

The Magna Carta and CanadaThe Magna Carta and Canada

►Since Canada used to be a British Since Canada used to be a British colony, Canadian law was the same as colony, Canadian law was the same as British law.British law.

►The Magna Carta shaped England’s legal The Magna Carta shaped England’s legal system which in turn created ours.system which in turn created ours.

►Although we have since gained Although we have since gained independence from Britain and changed independence from Britain and changed our laws, the Magna Carta still remains our laws, the Magna Carta still remains the basis of our law.the basis of our law.

Significant Laws from the Significant Laws from the Magna CartaMagna Carta

Freedom of the church.Freedom of the church. Complete equity, nobody is above Complete equity, nobody is above

the law.the law. Habeas Corpus, the right to a free Habeas Corpus, the right to a free

trial.trial. Taxes are not to be raised without Taxes are not to be raised without

consent from parliament.consent from parliament.

TimelineTimeline July 10 1215 – Meeting at Runnymede takes place.July 10 1215 – Meeting at Runnymede takes place. July 15 1215 – King John grants the Magna Carta.July 15 1215 – King John grants the Magna Carta. Feb 11 1225 – King Henry reissues revised Magna Carta.Feb 11 1225 – King Henry reissues revised Magna Carta. May 27 1679 – Parliament passes habeas corpus act.May 27 1679 – Parliament passes habeas corpus act.