Magna Carta: King John's Concession (1215)
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Faced with a barons' revolt, King John of England had to choose between fighting to maintain absolute power or conceding rights through the Magna Carta. His reluctant agreement became the foundation of constitutional law.
Sign the Magna Carta
1215
year
Royal prerogative vs rule of law
stakes
King bound by written law for first time
power shift
Signed — foundation of constitutional government
outcome
Fight the Barons
1215
year
Royal prerogative vs rule of law
stakes
Maintain absolute monarchy
power shift
Not chosen initially — civil war followed anyway
outcome
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