1. Magna C

Notes

1. Magna Carta (1215) What was it? • A charter agreed between King John and the barons • Designed to limit the monarch’s power and protect the rights of nobles Key principles • Rule of law: the king is not above the law • Due process: no one can be imprisoned without lawful judgement • Taxation requires consent (from the barons) Importance • First time a monarch’s power was formally limited • Foundation of constitutional government • Influenced later documents like the US Constitution Limitations • Originally protected barons, not ordinary people • Many clauses later repealed Exam link • Shows early movement away from absolute monarchy • Supports the idea of the UK having an uncodified constitution built over time ⸻ 2. Bill of Rights (1689) What was it? • Passed after the Glorious Revolution • Limited the power of the monarch and strengthened Parliament Key principles • Parliamentary sovereignty • Monarch cannot: • Suspend laws • Levy taxes without Parliament • Maintain a standing army without consent • Free elections and free speech in Parliament Importance • Shifted power from monarch to Parliament • Established a constitutional monarchy Exam link...