Magna Carta

The Magna Carta (Latin: 'Great Charter'), signed by King John of England at Runnymede in June 1215, was a peace treaty between the king and rebellious barons. It established the principle that the king was subject to the rule of law — not above it — and introduced early concepts of due process and trial by jury. Though largely a document for aristocratic rights rather than universal liberties, its principles were radically expanded over centuries. The Magna Carta became the foundation of English constitutional law, influenced the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and is cited in human rights law worldwide. Of the original 63 clauses, only 3 remain on the English statute books — but its symbolic importance is immeasurable. Four original copies survive; one sold at Sotheby's in 2007 for $21.3 million.