Magna Carta

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Magna Carta (meaning "Great Charter") is a document signed by King John of England in 1215 The king did not willingly approved it but he was forced by his nobles and barons to prevent a rebellion. At first, many English nobles and barons saw that the king did not respect their rights and did anything as he pleased. Sometimes, the king even ruined his nobles' properties and raise high taxes. The nobles and barons were very angry of the king's doing. So, they forced him to sign the Magna Carta in the meadow at Runnymede. This document required the king to respect certain rights of every citizens. Magna Carta limited the king's power and required everyone even the king to obey the law. Because of this, both nobles and commoners gained much more rights and freedom. After the Magna Carta was signed, the people of England found more ways to limit the king's power. A council was formed by nobles to advise the king. This council eventually developed in to Parliament, the law making body that governs England today. The Kings could do little without Parliament's support. In the late 1600s, the king agreed that judges will be freed from royal control.