Magna Carta started a process of struggle over how much power the monarch should have.
In the short term, Magna Carta had limited impact on the power of the monarchy and basic human rights.
Magna Carta survived through various ways and historians often disagree about this.
Magna Carta survived through force.
Magna Carta survived through compromise.

Common misconception

Magna Carta was a singular event which resulted in a powerless monarchy and human rights for all.

Magna Carta started a process of struggle. The medieval monarchy remained powerful, and it did not grant freedoms to everybody.

Keywords

Human rights - human rights are the basic rights that many consider all people should have, such as justice and the freedom to say what you think
Compromise - a compromise is a way of reaching agreement where each person or group give up something that they wanted so they can end the argument
Revive - revive is when something is brought back to life, health, existence or use
Ultimatum - an ultimatum is a threat in which someone is warned that if they do not do a particular thing, something unpleasant will happen to them

Find out what the Magna Carta clauses say by reading through the original document. An English translation and expert commentary on the charter is available online.

Teacher tip

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Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.
Contains conflict or violence.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Write in the missing word. Since Magna Carta, a special meeting of the king’s advisers – barons and bishops – had become known as ...

Correct Answer: parliament, Parliament

Q2.

Why did Simon de Montfort confront King Henry III in parliament?

Correct answer: for his constant money grabbing

Correct answer: for his favouring of foreign nobles

Correct answer: for not keeping to the spirit of Magna Carta

for the unfair treatment of peasants

Q3.

Who was responsible for establishing the 'First Parliament'?

King Henry III

King John I

Correct answer: Simon de Montfort

William Marshal

Q4.

In which battle was Simon de Montfort eventually defeated?

Correct answer: Battle of Evesham

Battle of Hastings

Battle of Lewes

Battle of York

Q5.

After Simon de Montfort's defeat, how did King Henry III rule?

independently without any advisors

with complete control over parliament

Correct answer: with the advice and consent of the baronial and knightly classes

under the guidance of the Pope

Q6.

What radical change did the Provisions of Oxford introduce to the way England was ruled?

established the first democratic elections

Correct answer: limited the king's power with a council of fifteen barons

removed the monarchy entirely

transferred power to the Church

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What process did Magna Carta start?

a process of struggle over the Church's power

Correct answer: a process of struggle over the monarch's power

a process of struggle over the peasants' power

Q2.

Write in the missing word. In the short term, Magna Carta had limited impact on the power of the monarchy and basic human ...

Correct Answer: rights, Rights

Q3.

Why do historians have different interpretations on how Magna Carta survived?

because it is very hard to understand the writing in Magna Carta

Correct answer: because their interpretation is dependent on which sources they focus on

because their interpretation may focus on the same sources

because there aren’t any sources of Magna Carta

Q4.

What was one method through which Magna Carta survived?

economic fines from France

peaceful protests

Correct answer: use of force by the barons

Q5.

How was compromise used for the survival of Magna Carta?

by always favouring the king's decisions

through international treaties between England and France

Correct answer: through the king and barons backing down to reach an agreement

with the complete surrender of the king and the barons

Q6.

Match the key words with the correct definitions.

Correct Answer:human rights,basic entitlements for all, like justice and free speech

basic entitlements for all, like justice and free speech

Correct Answer:revive,when something is brought back to life

when something is brought back to life

Correct Answer:compromise,reaching an agreement where each person backs down a little

reaching an agreement where each person backs down a little

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