About this episode

This episode discusses the events leading to the Magna Carta and its surprising clauses.

The Magna Carta would not have become law unless a group of Barons had first renounced their allegiance to King John on 5th May, 1215. Primarily protecting their own interests, they were keen to prevent John burdening them with ever-higher taxes to fund his seemingly endless Wars. Even once agreed, the now-revered document contained some surprising clauses: for example a law preventing members of a particular family ever serving as a Royal officer; and another stating that, ‘no one should be arrested or imprisoned on the appeal of a woman, for the death of any person except her husband.’ In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly uncover the legal loopholes John had previously exploited to enforce his tax hikes; consider the tricky business of trying to get a rapid response from the Pope; and reveal the Magna Carta’s original title… Further Reading: • ‘King John and the Magna Carta - The Magna Carta’ (BBC Bitesize): https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zcyx2v4/articles/zcg66g8 • ‘Magna Carta - The True Story Behind the Charter - By David Starkey’ (Hodder & Stoughton, 2015)…

People in this episode

Hosts: Arion McNicoll, Rebecca Messina, Olly Mann

Topics covered

• Magna Carta
• King John
• Barons
• taxation
• historical events

Keywords

• Magna Carta
• King John
• Barons
• taxes
• historical loopholes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Bitesize

Books & works: King John and the Magna Carta - The Magna Carta, Magna Carta - The True Story Behind the Charter - By David Starkey, Horrible Histories Song - Magna Carta 800 Years

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