The Transformation of English Government - Explain the loss of power of the King through the Magna Carta and the creation of England's parliament.

It is no wonder then why the barons under King John rebelled in May of 1215.  They soon had taken over London and become a serious threat.  So, in order to appease the revolt, the king had no alternative but to negotiate with the barons.  They met at Runnymede, just outside Windsor castle in June.  The king was presented with the Magna Carta, a 62-chapter document stating that the king was not above the law and was indeed subject to it himself.  The document also stated that no man could be imprisoned without due process of law.  On June 15, 1215, King John placed his seal on the Magna Carta, forever dwindling the power of the king and transforming the government.  The Magna Carta soon went into affect and was presented all over England.  

During the reign of Edward I, in the late 1200’s the institution of parliament was formed.  It was common to have an annual meeting of barons and nobles to advise the king on political matters.  However, Edward I expanded the meeting to include two knights from every shire and several citizens from every town to represent the people.  This new collaboration was known as parliament, from the French word ‘Parley’ meaning ‘to speak.’  King Edward consented to the process of having to consult with parliament before he could establish a tax.  

As time went on, parliament became more and more powerful and the king less and less.  By simply withholding its consent to new taxes, parliament could force the king to agree to other issues concerning the people.  Soon, parliament was no longer an advisory meeting, but a legislative branch.  So as a result the people came to have more influence in the British government.  

We can see the effects of the Magna Carta and formation of parliament in modern England today.  Though there is still a monarchy, the king does not have much political power anymore.  Instead, the government is run by parliament.  During the beginnings of the United States government, the founding fathers modeled the Constitution after the Magna Carta.  Much significance can be placed on the Magna Carta and the development of parliament for it came to be a model for democracy worldwide.  

Bibliography

1. Fisher, David. World History for Christian Schools. Greenville, South Carolina.  Bob Jones University Press, 1994.
2. Stanton, Mary & Hyma, Albert. Streams of Civilization. Creation – Life Publishers, 1976.
3. Kings and Queens of England  

4. Political Articulation from Magna Carta to Abraham Lincoln 

1. Who signed the Magna Carta in 1215?

1. King Edward
2. King Richard
3. King John
4. King Charles

2. The Magna Carta influenced the contents of which important American document?

1. Declaration of Independence
2. Constitution
3. Emancipation Proclamation
4. Treaty of Versailles

      3. The word ‘Parliament’ comes from the French ‘parley’ meaning what?

1. Parlor
2. Government
3. Courage
4. Speech

       4. Who rebelled against King John in 1215?

1. Barons
2. Knights
3. Peasants
4. Professors

Answers: 1c, 2b, 3d, 4a.