Magna Carta or The Great Charter is the most important constitutional document in the history of England. It was drawn up by the Barons who forced King John to sign the document in 1215 AD. It had sixty-three clauses from which we can infer the nature and extent of King John's misdeeds. Magna Carta was a remedial document to the nation against the oppressive nature of John. The main purpose of the great charter was to establish equal rights and privileges for society. The great charter stated the king must follow the law and should not rule as he wished. It had established very important provisions that are, no freeman was to be imprisoned or punished without proper judgment of his equals or by the law and justice shouldn’t be sold, denied, or delayed to anyone. It had ensured and safeguarded personal liberties. The freedom of the church to arrange elections to bishoprics also had been ensured. King John demanded too much money as taxes. Magna Carta had imposed rules on tax collection. There was mentioned that feudal dues were to be fixed at a certain rate and people should not pay taxes without the consent of the Common Council of the realm except on royal occasions. This clause in the future had been interpreted as laying down the great principle that the king cannot levy any tax without the consent of parliament. Magna Carta had also put on equal rights and privileges to the tenants of barons as they had secured from the king. There were provisions of the liberties of London and the towns and freedom of tread in the great charter. English rulers often tried to ignore the great charter but however, it provided significant limitations on royal power.
Importance of Magna Carta: Magna Carta is considered the most important constitutional document in the history of England. Hallam described it as the “Keystone of English Liberties”, while Chatham characterized it as the “Bible of English Constitution”. It was very important to all Englishman because it had ensured their personal liberty. It was a treaty between the king and his subjects, and its importance lies in the fact that it for the first time definitely recognized certain rights and privileges of all orders and classes. According to the great charter, English people had to judge or be governed by fixed laws, not by the arbitrary of the royal family. People were freed from the tyranny of King John. It had given barons the right to declare war against the king if he did not follow the statements. Magna Carta had put effective checks upon the arbitrary power of the tyrannical king. It had initiated the process by which the power of the king eventually transferred to the people. Magna Carta had become the starting point of English Liberties. That is why Magna Carta is important in English history.