Signing of the Magna Carta
King John of England sealed the Magna Carta, establishing the principle that everyone, including the king, is subject to law.
On June 15, 1215, King John of England was forced by his rebellious barons to seal the Magna Carta Libertatum (Great Charter of Freedoms) at Runnymede. The charter established the principle that the king was subject to law, not above it. Key provisions included the right to a fair trial, limits on taxation without consent, and protection of church rights. Though many of its specific provisions were later annulled, the Magna Carta became a foundational document in the development of constitutional governance worldwide.
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