The Magna Carta ("Great Charter") was a direct result of the Norman Invasion of England in 1066.

The Normans were SO oppressive to the Brits that eventually the English nobility rose up and demanded basic human rights. The very same King John of the Robin Hood tale was forced to acquiesce to the demands of the Rebel Barons, or face civil war. Being a savage, it didn't take long for King John to dishonor the Charter, and thereafter there was WAR in England for many generations.

Premise: Rights & Freedoms Should be Guaranteed By Law.

This idea of implementing a set of rules that guarantees rights was *shocking* at the time; the King owned EVERYTHING / EVERYONE.

The original Magna Carta (1215, Runnymeade) perhaps most importantly applied law to the King; he became accountable for his actions, for the very first time. The Divine Right of Kings was placed in check. It also promised the protection of church rights, protection for free men from illegal imprisonment, access to swift & impartial justice, and limitations on payments to the Crown. It guaranteed the right to own property, allowed women to marry as they choose, and much more.

In addition, it called for a group of 25 barons to oversee the implementation of the changes, which became the foundation of future Parliament - Elected Representation.

As the Magna Carta needed to be re-issued with every new monarch, it's power was diluted over time. It was finally implemented into English Statute Law in 1297.

Interestingly, it was written by and intended for the Nobility, who never considered extending these freedoms to the Serfs, who were the slaves of that time. But eventually the Serfs caught on to the idea of that THEY had basic human rights, and over time created an alternative society outside the jurisdiction of the fascist Guilds, allowing people to barter and trade on their own terms. This led to an explosion of creativity, prosperity, and ultimately - the Industrial Revolution. (And, to Adam Smith)