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__NOTOC__[[File:Magna_charta_cum_statutis_angliae_p1.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|The Magna Carta]]The Magna Carta,<ref>Literally literally translated as “The Great Paper”</ref>, also called Magna Carta Libertatum<ref>Or also referred to as “Great Charter of Freedoms”)</ref> is an English charter, originally issued in 1215. The year of its signing represents a key landmark in Britain’s constitutional history. This is also the starting point of a long historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law today. The document established and codified many of the principles that still govern modern western constitutional thought. Magna Carta has directly influenced many common law fundamental documents, such as the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights to name just a few, and thus it is considered and recognized to be one of the most important documents in the history of democracy itself, as well as civil rights and obligations and common law in general.

Due to his harsh and unpredictable rule, John gradually lost support of his two most powerful backing groups of people in England – the barons and the Catholic bishops. Their calls for a political reforms were rejected many times by the king and as tensions grew thus led to a civil war in the spring of 1215. King John did not take seriously barons’ actions until the rebels reached and entered the city of London. Then it was time for negotiations which ended with signing of a document,<ref>Initially this document was called “Articles of the Barons”</ref>, containing a list of demands by the rebels.<ref>Magna Carta: A turning point in English history or When the king became a sitting duck: http://www.historyextra.com/feature/magna-carta-turning-point-english-history</ref> An official version of this very document was released soon afterwords with the name “Magna Carta”. In return for King John’s signature and the reached agreement, the barons themselves acknowledged the authority of the king, renewed their pledge of allegiance to him and ended their hostilities, opposition and resistance to his rule.

Magna Carta has made a long journey through time, spreading over the globe by virtue of its implications and legacy. More than 800 years later its simply laid out ideas of freedom and justice have become integral and inseparable part of the very genetic structure of the mankind. <ref>Magna Carta Today - To no one deny or delay right or justice: http://magnacarta800th.com/magna-carta-today/</ref>For about a century after it was initially signed, the king and the nobles tussled over the provisions of the Magna Carta, and it was periodically revised, altered, enriched and updated. For instance, it was the 1225 version – much shorter than the original one – that was confirmed officially by the new King Edward I and found its way and expression through the first directly elected Parliament in 1264 and the first Statute Roll in 1297. The spirit of Magna Carta evoked during the famous Putney debates of 1647.

<dh-ad/> Later, with Charles II restoration, Magna Carta acted as a solid base and helped to codify the ancient writ of Habeas Corpus<ref>Latin for “you [shall] have the body”, it is a legal action or writ by means of which detainees can seek relief from unlawful imprisonment. In modern US Law it is a recourse in law whereby a person can report an unlawful detention or imprisonment before a court, usually through a prison official. A writ of habeas corpus, is known as the “the great and efficacious writ in all manner of illegal confinement”, being a remedy available to the meanest against the mightiest: http://www.lectlaw.com/def/h001.htm</ref> passed by Parliament in 1679. Along with that most of the 1297 statute was repealed by Parliament at various times between 1828 and 1969.<ref>Magna Carta in the modern age: http://www.bl.uk/magna-carta/articles/magna-carta-in-the-modern-age</ref>