Magna Carta

The British constitution has one very vivid distinctive feature. It consists in the fact that there is no document in it that would be the main law for the United Kingdom. Democratic English society has long lived without a constitution, and all thanks to the fact that in 1215 the country adopted the Magna Carta. If we compare, at what level of development of social relations in these years were other countries, then the emerging democracy in England (thanks to the charter) causes great respect.

Since its inception, the Magna Carta has remained at all times symbolic and a major part of the unwritten but clearly executed English constitution. The word "charter" is literally translated from Greek as a "handwritten document". Most often it is used in a figurative sense, namely, as words: "rights", "privileges".

How did it happen that it was in England that this amazing document was born that changed the life of people for many centuries and ensured the dignity of its inhabitants?

The Magna Carta was announced and signed on June 15 in 1215 in the valley of the River Thames, near the town of Rannimed. At that time, King John Lackland reigned, and he was famous for his unfair management. In the country because of his connivance reigned arbitrariness and bribery. The Magna Carta was created as a necessary measure to combat the existing lawlessness, which every year grew more and more in the country.

The situation was so complicated that, for example, the king himself could take land without a trial from the vassal or impose extortion on his own, which exceeded the established ones. He introduced excessive payments and taxes under any pretexts, pursuing a single goal - enriching the treasury. Lawsuits were conducted carelessly, and the one who had more money won. In fact, an official bribe was given to a government official. The judicial system was paralyzed. In addition, King John the Landless unleashed a wasteful war with France, thereby ruining the country.

Against him came the opposition in the person of the barons and the church, which was on the side of the indignant and showed sympathy to them. The participation of the latter was not unfounded, since the king was so unreasonably leading his government that even with the Pope, he ruined the relationship.

The Magna Carta of 1215 was the very document that was supposed to return the country to order. It was written in Latin and it featured 63 historical articles. This document had one more title - "Baron's Articles". King John was forced to agree to the conditions of the rebellious barons, and the Magna Carta of 1215 was born. It provided for the most important thing - this is the restriction of the power of the king by creating a special council of 25 barons. According to this document, after the application of the application from four members of the council was allowed to "press the king in all ways" (article of the Charter 61).

Important changes occurred after this in the relationship between the king and the church, as well as between barons and free people. The king ensured the freedom of the church, gave her special privileges and guaranteed immunity. He also promised that taxes and fees would be collected by the general council of the kingdom.

Article 13 guaranteed freedom to London and other cities, and article number 36 gave a significant impetus to the successful development of trade and crafts. The Magna Carta of 1215 contributed to the consolidation and stabilization of the United Kingdom. No less important were articles 41 and 42. They ensured the freedom of entry and exit to foreign and local merchants. In addition, the Great Charter enshrined the rights of large feudal lords to own property.

The most significant was article 39, because it was in it that guarantees were given for the property, as well as the personal inviolability of every citizen. It stated that a free person can be arrested, imprisoned or deprived of property only by a lawful decision of the judges. Article 45 obliged to elect qualified judges, as well as worthy officials. The Great Charter guaranteed that it would ensure the elimination of arbitrary judicial fees (Article 40). The result of its creation was the beginning of the abolition of feudal dependence, and its provisions became the basis for the further development of a great democratic country.