Why is Magna Carta still relevant in today's society?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what Magna Carta is and why it is still significant today.
Key learning points
- Magna Carta, sealed in 1215, limited the King’s power and established key legal principles.
- It stated that the monarch is not above the law and protected free men's right to a fair trial.
- It introduced the principle that free men could not be punished without due legal process.
- Justice must be accessible, not denied or delayed, as outlined in Magna Carta.
- Magna Carta's core principles evolved over time to influence modern legal systems where rulers follow the law.
Keywords
Magna Carta - a document created in 1215 that limited the King’s power and introduced legal rights
Baron - a rich landowner or noble who had a lot of power in medieval times
Constitutional monarchy - the monarch’s power is limited by laws, and decisions are made by a government and Parliament
Absolute monarchy - the monarch has total control and does not have to follow any laws
Common misconception
That royalty do not have to follow the same laws as citizens or would not be subjected to the legal system in the same way.
Rule of law states all citizens must obey the law, this includes the Royal Family.
Teacher tip
There are various short videos readily available online that show the story of Magna Carta which may support learning. It may also be helpful to explain to pupils that documents were not signed by the monarch at this time, and instead sealed using a royal seal (the Great Seal of England).
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Aside from common law, who else makes law in the UK?
Q2.What is the monarch's role in law making?
Q3.Who must follow the law in the UK?
Q4.Before being given a prison sentences, what must citizens have first received?
Q5.What is something that citizens pay to the Government which funds local and national public services?
Q6.What type of monarchy do we have in the UK?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If a country has a monarch with complete power, this is what type of monarchy?
Q2.Which definition best describes a baron?
Q3.What was King John forced to seal in June 1215?
Q4.Magna Carta limited the monarch's what?
Q5.Magna Carta set the principle of access to what?
Q6.Magna Carta set the principle that no one should be subjected to what type of punishment within the legal system?
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Why is Magna Carta still relevant in today's society?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Why is Magna Carta still relevant in today's society?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How can we play a part in the legal system? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.