Source A: Excerpt from Magna Carta (1215)

'No free man shall be seized, or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.' Provenance: The original Magna Carta document, 1215.

1215: King John faces rebellion from the barons due to heavy taxes and military failures. June 15, 1215: Magna Carta is sealed at Runnymede. 1216: King John dies; his son, Henry III, ascends the throne. 1225: A revised version of Magna Carta is issued by Henry III. 1297: Magna Carta is reaffirmed in the English Parliament, becoming a foundational legal document.

Source B: Historian View 'Magna Carta laid the foundation for the development of constitutional law in England, influencing the creation of Parliament and the concept of individual rights.' Source C: Modern Perspective 'Although initially a practical solution for King John’s problems, Magna Carta became a symbol of liberty and the rule of law.'

Question:

Write a short paragraph explaining why Magna Carta is considered a significant document in history.

Marking guidance:

• Recognize its role in limiting royal power
• Mention its influence on legal rights and later governments
• Reflect on its symbolic importance as a foundation of liberty