June 15, 1215 the Magna Carta Libertatum (the Great Charter of the Liberties of England) was forced on King John. During medieval times Kings had taken increasing power from the citizenry, vesting it in a strong central government. Because of uncontrolled spending, the King was insisting on huge new taxes. This caused rebellion by the feudal barons, plunging the country into civil war. The Magna Carta introduced a realistic challenge to the prevailing belief in the Divine Right of Kings, influenced the future Declaration of Independence by the Colonials and later the U.S. Constitution, and it gave rise to the doctrine of common law. fordham.edu/halsall/source/magnacarta.asp
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:08:22 +0000
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