Which statements are true of the Magna Carta?

Question

Choose all answers that are correct.

Responses

The Magna Carta guaranteed that the king could not impose new taxes without permission from a council.

The Magna Carta guaranteed that the king could not impose new taxes without permission from a council.

Under the Magna Carta, everyone in England except the king had to obey the law.

Under the Magna Carta, everyone in England except the king had to obey the law.

King John signed the document because he wanted to be reelected.

King John signed the document because he wanted to be reelected.

English barons and church leaders wrote the Magna Carta because they could no longer tolerate King John's abuses of their traditional rights.

English barons and church leaders wrote the Magna Carta because they could no longer tolerate King John's abuses of their traditional rights.

The rights outlined in Magna Carta applied only to nobles and church leaders.

Answer 1

The true statements regarding the Magna Carta are:

1. The Magna Carta guaranteed that the king could not impose new taxes without permission from a council.

2. English barons and church leaders wrote the Magna Carta because they could no longer tolerate King John's abuses of their traditional rights.

3. The rights outlined in Magna Carta applied only to nobles and church leaders.

The last statement, while true in its historical context, is often seen as a limitation of the Magna Carta’s impact, as over time it laid the groundwork for broader legal principles that would influence common law. The other statements about King John signing the document for the purpose of being reelected are inaccurate, as the Magna Carta was primarily a response to the grievances against his rule rather than a campaign promise.