What was the significance of the Magna Carta in 1215?

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a pivotal document in the development of constitutional governance. Its most significant aspect was that it established the principle that the king was not above the law and that he was obligated to follow the same legal rules as his subjects. This charter of liberties was drafted as a response to the grievances against King John of England, particularly his arbitrary rule and heavy taxation. By recognizing certain rights and limiting the powers of the monarch, the Magna Carta laid the groundwork for the development of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in England and influenced legal systems around the world.

This principle that all individuals, including those in positions of power, are subject to the law is a cornerstone of modern democracies and has profoundly influenced subsequent documents and ideologies concerning human rights and governance.