Impact of the Magna Carta

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next were on proper treatment of the barons by the king and the rest were on England’s legal system. Three of the clauses from the Magna Carta are still part of the English law with the third bearing the most importance. It declared that no free man would be seized or taken to prison, denied of his rights and possessions or outlawed. Neither would they be deprived of their standing in any other way, or have force used against them except by the lawful judgment of those equal to him or by the law of the land. Also, justice would neither be sold, denied nor delayed to anyone (Breay & Harrison, 97). In the future years, the phrase free man was replaced with no one as this was thought to include everyone. This clause gave all the free men of England the right to justice and to a fair trial as dictated by the law (Breay & Harrison, 98). King John’s royal seal was put on the document to signify his royal support for the best interests of the people of Medieval England.

The Magna Carta marked the foundation of democracy in England. The USA echoed it in their declaration of Human Rights stating that everyone, including those in power, must obey the law of the land. In England, it paved way for parliament and ensured that the people were not exploited through outrageous taxes. Also, it has continually helped to maintain royal power within reasonable limits and has also prevented a dictatorial kind of rule by tyrannical leaders as was the case with King John before the Magna Carta came into existence. The document, though about 800 years old, still remains a powerful symbol of liberty from oppressive rule.

Works Cited

Brey Claire & Harrison Julian. Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy. London: The British Library. Print. 2015.

Drew, Katherine F. Magna Carta. Greenwood Press. Print. 2004.