The Magna Carta (Great Charter) is one of the most important legal documents in the history of democracy. It is one of the earliest documents granting rights to citizens. It is a predecessor for the development of the rule of constitutional law, it provided inspiration to many of the later rights documents such as the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. The document contained provisions such as:
- The right of the church to be free from governmental interference,
- The rights of all free citizens to own and inherit property and be free from excessive taxes.
- Right of widows to choose not to remarry.
- Due process and equality before the law.
- Provisions against bribery and official misconduct.
The Magna Carta was originally written because of disagreements between King John and the English barons. After King John had violated a number of ancient laws and customs by which England had been governed, his subjects (the Barons) forced him to sign the Magna Carta. King John needed to placate the barons and therefore signed the document granting them several rights. The Magna Carta may not have been seen as such a big deal at
the time and nor is it obvious that King John expected to respect it but his weak position ensured the documents survival and growth into prominence.
According to the New York Times article there are 17 known copies surviving this one will be auctioned by Sothebys in New York in mid-December, estimates that the document will sell for $20 million to $30 million.