The Magna Carta presents the text of the famous charter sealed by King John of England at Runnymede in 1215. Forced upon the king by his rebellious barons, the Great Charter sought to limit royal power, protect feudal rights, and establish that even the king was subject to the law. Its clauses on justice, liberty, and due process became a touchstone for later constitutional development in England and far beyond.
Though rooted in the specific grievances of medieval feudal society, Magna Carta has come to symbolise the rule of law and the protection of individual rights. Reading the original document reveals both its medieval context and the enduring principles later generations drew from it. Anyone interested in medieval England, law, or the history of liberty will value having the text at hand. This free EPUB edition makes the foundational charter of the Middle Ages conveniently available to all readers.