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How did the Magna Carta impact the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens during the Middle Ages?

Jasiah McCarron

Ah, the Magna Carta. What a document, am I right? Well, if you weren't aware, the Magna Carta was a charter that was signed way back in 1215. It was a pretty significant moment in history because it helped establish the idea that everyone, including ordinary citizens, should have some basic rights and freedoms.

Before the Magna Carta, the king pretty much had free reign to do whatever he wanted. If he felt like imprisoning someone without trial, he could do it. If he wanted to tax the living daylights out of his subjects, he could do that too. But after the Magna Carta, things started to change.

One of the main things the Magna Carta did was establish the idea of due process. That means that the king couldn't just throw someone in jail without a fair trial. It also meant that people couldn't be punished excessively for crimes, and they couldn't be fined more than they could reasonably afford to pay. In other words, the Magna Carta helped establish the idea that the law applies to everyone, even the king.

Another important thing the Magna Carta did was establish the idea of habeas corpus. Now, I don't know about you, but the first time I heard the phrase "habeas corpus," I thought it was some kind of magical spell from Harry Potter. But actually, it just means that if someone is thrown in jail, they have the right to appear before a judge and have their case heard. This helped prevent people from being thrown in jail without a good reason, which was definitely a win for ordinary citizens.

Finally, the Magna Carta helped establish the idea of trial by jury. Before the Magna Carta, the king pretty much had the final say in any legal matter. But the Magna Carta helped establish the idea that ordinary citizens could have a say too. Now, if someone was accused of a crime, they could have their case heard by a group of their peers, rather than just having a king decide their fate.

So, to sum it all up, the Magna Carta was a pretty big deal for ordinary citizens during the Middle Ages. It helped establish the idea of due process, habeas corpus, and trial by jury, which are all things we take for granted today. So the next time you're sitting in a jury trial or arguing with a police officer about your rights, just remember that it's all thanks to the Magna Carta.