Lesson 8.2: King John and The Magna Carta

King John and The Magna Carta

King John was the king of England 1199-1216 AD.  He was a very unsuccessful and unpopular King.  The barons did not like King John.  Look at this chart to see WHY.

King John-Barons

Watch this video to learn more about King John and The Magna Carta.

The Barons' did not like how unfairly they were being treated, so they rebelled against King John.

Barons response

Magna Carta

  • The Magna Carta was a statement of rights drawn up by the lords of England in 1215.
  • It forced kings to obey the laws the same as other people.
  • It was the first written Constitution in European history and the forerunner to the Bill of Rights for England and the US.

 

The Barons's forced King John to sign the Magna Carta, which changed how he was to rule as King. Magna Carta mean "The Great Charter" in Latin.

Magna Carta main points

 

For Fun:  Watch this clip from the cartoon "Robin Hood". Disney does a great job making fun of King John(Prince John in movie) in these clips.