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1-Page Summary of Magna Carta

The Magna Carta is a historical document, which was created in 1215. It attempted to broker peace between King John and the barons who were rebelling against his rule. The document guaranteed the rights of people living under an absolute monarch by promising the protection of the Church, protected nobles from illegal imprisonment, ensured that justice would be swift, and limited feudal payments to the crown. A council of twenty-five barons would administer it. However, neither side lived up to its commitments and Pope Innocent II annulled it after two years; however, both sides eventually amended it and readmitted it into political life as part of England’s current constitutional monarchy system. Today four copies remain in effect held at cathedrals in Lincoln and Salisbury; however they are no longer enforced but rather studied for their historic value as one of history’s most important documents ever written.

This document starts by asking people to reintroduce themselves, then invokes God to stress the importance of this document. It takes the form of sixty clauses suggested by prominent individuals. These include: allowing the Church to elect its own officials; protecting children from guardians who destroy their property or force them into marriages; guaranteeing widows’ rights for forty days after their husband’s death; banning forced remarriage of widows; forbidding seizure of land for debt except as a last resort and eliminating interest payments on debts owed by underage heirs until they come of age; not levying new taxes on barons and ensuring that any new policies are discussed with barons in advance first before implementation. The king promises no new taxes on knights, guarantee fair trials at county courts, establish trial procedures, and ensure punishments aren’t overly punitive. Both church officials and aristocrats are guaranteed trial by their peers if accused.

Next are relief of building regulations, regulations for appointing judges, and a freeze on rent increases. The king can seize property to pay debts until the debt is paid otherwise. Church officials will divide-up property if someone dies without a will. Government officials are not allowed to give out IOUs or issue new taxes unilaterally. The king can seize land from convicted felons for one year only. No one else can seize land without a local trial. Regulations on the use of fish traps and standard measurements for grain and cloth are established next up are court rules taxes will not be used as punishment without trial, court officials cannot be used as witnesses, and punishment can only be imposed with a guilty verdict people cannot buy their way out of punishment no new taxes on merchants unless his country is at war with England then he will be treated like English merchants in that country right to travel outside England established right to return except in case of exile

The Barons establish the right of religious abbey founders to govern themselves. They also promise that they will ensure open access to royal forests and rivers. Additionally, knights will be appointed to govern the use of land. The king agrees to release any hostages taken during their skirmishes with him if he is considered in the wrong. He promises not to punish anyone without a trial, even though those who rebelled against him may lose their titles or have fines collected from them unjustly returned by the king. Women are protected from being forced to serve as witnesses in court trials, and all rights extended to Englishmen apply equally well for Welshmen as well. Finally, rules for the council of barons are established; it is stated that this document exists in perpetuity (forever).