The+Magna+Carta

The Magna Carta was a list of rules signed into law by the King John in 1215. For the first time in European history, the King was subject to the rule of law. He couldn't just behead whoever he wanted to any more. He had to abide by laws.



Click here for a picture of the Magna Carta from the British Library. You can zoom in for a closer look. It was hand written in medieval latin on parchment made from sheepskin.

Famous excerpt
//**No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, nor will we proceed with force against him, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.** // This came from the British Library, [|here]. Those first three words "No free man" mean that the Magna Carta does not apply to women or peasants (people who are owned by a lord) .

Modern Human Rights
Compare the text of the Magna Carta to this from [|the Universal Declaration of Human Rights](UDHR). The UDHR is a statement signed by all the countries of the United Nations. It describes the rights that all people have.

**Article 1.**

 * All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

**Article 7.**

 * All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

**Article 8.**

 * Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Reflective writing task
Spend ten minutes writing about your thoughts in response to these two questions: