The king is under no man, but under God and the law.
Henry de Bracton
During King John’s rule, England was suffering from heavy taxation and military failures. The nobility, frustrated by his abuses of power, rebelled and captured London.
They demanded reforms, leading to the creation of the Magna Carta. The document established that the king must follow the law and that people had certain legal rights.
One of its most famous clauses stated that no free man could be imprisoned without a fair trial. Though originally meant to protect nobles, its principles influenced later democratic movements, including the U.S. Constitution.
The Magna Carta remains a symbol of justice and human rights. It laid the foundation for the idea that no leader is above the law, a concept that still shapes governments today.
Vocabulary Bank:
- Rebellion – Pemberontakan
- Taxation – Perpajakan
- Reform – Reformasi
- Justice – Keadilan
- Constitution – Konstitusi
Soal:
Why is it important for leaders to follow laws like everyone else?
