Week #11 Essay, History
3/4/16
The Magna Carta
In 1215 the Magna Carta was created. Here is the story in my own words:
King Richard I of England (also known as Richard the Lionheart) ruled over England in 1189. He had many brothers and sisters but the most important one in this historical story is John. John was the youngest sibling so he never would inherit anything from their father, Henry the II of England. That didn’t stop him from trying. He tried many times to take King Richard’s throne while he was away.
Shortly after Richard was crowned King, he went and joined the 3rd Crusade. After Richard left, John took over. When Richard came back from the Crusade in 1192, the kingdom was in chaos. He kicked John off of the throne and quickly put the kingdom back in order.
On April 6th, 1199, Richard was killed and left no heir to the throne. John was put on the throne because he was Richard’s brother. John proved to be a selfish and cruel ruler. Under John’s rule, the Feudal System was ignored.
King John was a poor military leader. He had to raise tons of soldiers to protect him from having his throne taken.
He raised the taxes without his barons’ permission. His barons were very angry about this. In 1215, the barons decided they had had enough of King John’s shenanigans. The barons marched to London and took control. They demanded that John meet them at the, now famous field, Runnymede.
John met them there and they signed a treaty called the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta was supposed to have all the leaders who signed this follow these rules:
~No taxation without approval of council
~Trial by jury, no matter if he is Noble, Peasant or Slave.
~The church wasn’t to be interfered with by the King.
~The King had to abide the laws of the Nation.
Neither of the people who signed this actually took it seriously and the Magna Carta failed to bring peace.
By Amelia Jacobson
CrazyWolfGirl 