The Great Charter

The Great Charter, or Magna Carta, is a historic document from 1215 that limited the power of the English king and protected certain rights of nobles and, eventually, all people. It established principles like the rule of law, meaning no one is above the law— not even the king. The Magna Carta laid groundwork for modern legal systems by recognizing rights such as fair treatment, justice, and limits on taxation without representation. It is considered a foundational step in the development of constitutional law and individual freedoms.