Magna Carta

Magna Carta was the first document in British history to place legal limits on the powers of the King.

History

In 1215, the nobles of England, chafing under King John's excessive taxation and arbitrary justice, would only renew their oaths of fealty if John agreed to their demands. John was forced to agree, and all parties signed the Magna Carta in June of that year. (It should perhaps be mentioned that King John did not actually sign Magna Carta, as he could not write. Instead, he showed his approval by setting his Royal seal to the document.)

Its signing was a pivotal moment in human history. The Tremas Master sought to prevent its signing, thus altering the course of history, in ways that were never clearly revealed. He was prevented from doing so by the Fifth Doctor. (TV: The King's Demons)

The Eleventh Doctor claimed to have put the Magna Carta in Lily and Cyril Arwell's room at Uncle Digby's country estate. (TV: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe)

Behind the scenes

• Magna Carta was also the title of a documentary released on the DVD of The King's Demons.