King John Bows to the Barons
June 15, 1215 AD
1215 1215
00.30W51.25N
MISC

RUNNYMEDE, ENGLAND
	King John had been acting too uppity for the English aristocracy and clergy.  Since becoming king in 1199, he demanded more military service than earlier kings, he sold governmental positions to the highest bidder and he decided legal cases without regard to law.
	Chafing under his rule, barons and church leaders met at St. Albans to demand he stop the abuses.  Twice he refused, so they raised an army that was too large for John to defeat.
	On June 15, 1215, at Runnymede meadow near the Thames River, John signed the Magna Carta (Latin for "Great Charter"), which limited his power.  One of its most important articles required the king obtain the barons' consent before raising taxes.
	The barons formed a council (later to become Parliament) to ensure John kept his word.  He didn't, and war broke out between the king and barons.  But John died in 1216 and his successor agreed to the terms of the Magna Carta.
	Building on the authority given it by the Magna Carta, Parliament expanded its power until today's British monarchs are figureheads and all political power is in Parliament's hands.