The Magna Carta
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Part 1
You have excerpts from the translated Magna Carta. Read them and with a partner, work out the
following:
1. What were the main points of the Magna Carta?
2. How might these have helped civil rights today?
3. Why would a king who was meant to be omnipotent in his own country agree to the
demands of the barons who were meant to be below him in authority?
4. Could the Magna Carta be considered a declaration of rights for everyone, or was it just a list
of baronial demands?
5. Discuss the background to the Magna Carta – why was it produced, what instigated it and
why did King John sign it?
6. Study various sources in reference books and evaluate different interpretations about the
reputation of King John.
7. Why did the barons revolt and were they right to do so?
8. Was John a good or bad king? Give reasons for your answer.
Part 2
With your partner, plan and write an interview as if you are contemporary journalists. Choose to
‘interview’ either a baron or King John, uncovering the causes of the Magna Carta, the consequences
and it’s significance. You need to investigate whether King John was really good or bad or whether he
was simply a contrast to the popular image of Richard. Consider both primary and secondary sources
and analyse and interpret the Magna Carta, then write an article from a journalist’s perspective. Your
article should be approximately 1,000 words and should contain at least three subheadings.
Part 3
For homework, answer the following questions in full sentences.
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Why did John need money?
Was he completely at fault?
Why was the banning of Church services so terrible?
Why did King John lose the support of his barons?
What was scutage?
Why was the Magna Carta important?
What was the significance of the Magna Carta in monarch’s struggle for control?
What were the main points of the Magna Carta?
How important is the Magna Carta in the development of political rights?
http://education.hodge.continuumbooks.com © Susie Hodge (2010)
Resources for Teaching History 11–14. London: Continuum.