Activities: Dialogues
Name: ___________________________________
Date: __________________
Magna Carta: The Source of Liberty
In June of 1215, rebellious English barons created the Magna Carta. The
document was originally called the Articles of Barons; but once signed and
verified, it was renamed the Magna Carta, which means “Great Charter.” The
English Barons were noblemen of the English Monarchy who held feudal powers
and served the government as a parliament to represent the interests of the people.
The Magna Carta demanded King John’s power be limited, and a list of liberties to
protect the people in his realm. This document became the forerunner of
constitutional documents and government. It was the first modern document in
England to list democratic freedoms.
King John was the most disastrous ruler in England’s history. He could not
protect his dominions in Normandy from invasion. King John raised taxes, and his
actions against debtors were ruthless. The administration of justice was
unpredictable. The English barons held great power in the English Monarchy. They
suffered from King John’s mistakes. Pope Innocent II had disputes with King John
as well. Their feud centered on who had the power to override the other’s
authority. Pope Innocent II eventually ruled that King John was his feudal vassal;
therefore, the pope’s authority overrules the king’s authority.
The Magna Carta influenced America’s Declaration of Independence and
several states’ Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution
also referenced this document and reflected the types of liberties Englishman had
been granted. The Magna Carta has been revised many times; in 1225, 1227, and
1297 revisions and additions were made. This document created the precedent of a
government’s obligation to protect its citizens’ rights, liberties, laws, and
freedoms. Without this precedent, the American Revolution may not have
occurred.
CICERO © 2010
1
Activities: Dialogues
Characters:
Narrators 1-4
Pope Innocent II
King John
Messenger
Roger - baron
Hugh - baron
Henry - baron
Scene I
Narrator 1: The monks of Canterbury and Pope Innocent II decide to elect Stephen Langton,
to be the Archbishop of Canterbury. This news travels to London, England, and King John is
displeased.
Messenger: The monks of Canterbury have elected a new archbishop. Pope Innocent II has
approved the election.
King John: Whom did they elect?
Messenger: Archbishop Stephen Langton of Canterbury.
King John: Don’t call him by that title. An archbishop in my district cannot be chosen
without my approval. Send a letter to the Vatican of my disapproval of the new archbishop.
My choice is to be named Archbishop of Canterbury.
Messenger: Who might he be?
King John: John de Gray, Bishop of Norwich will be my choice. Go with him to Rome and
report back to me.
CICERO © 2010
2
Activities: Dialogues
Scene II
Narrator 2: The messenger and John de Gray travel to Rome to tell Pope Innocent that King
John has overruled his authority.
Messenger: I present to you the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
Pope Innocent II: That is not the Archbishop of Canterbury! The Church has selected an
archbishop. King John is a fool! I am the Feudal Lord of Canterbury; therefore, King John is
my vassal. My authority overrides his rule!
Narrator 2: The messenger reports the pope’s message to King John. The king exiles all of
the monks in his realm. Pope Innocent becomes furious and excommunicates King John.
Eventually the king acquiesces to the pope and accepts Stephen Langton as Archbishop of
Canterbury. He allows the monks to return. He even declares England and Ireland Papal
States. This infuriates the English barons, because it reduces their independence in England
and Ireland.
CICERO © 2010
3
Activities: Dialogues
Scene III
Narrator 3: The barons hold a meeting in London to discuss their conflicts with King John.
Hugh: We barons are losing our authority! We cannot allow King John to give away our
power. The more power we lose, the more power he gains. There is no anticipation what
could happen if that occurs.
Roger: How so? Why do you think he will abuse his increasing power?
Hugh: He already is ruthless to those in debt to him. He gives them disturbing and painful
punishments.
Roger: What else?
Narrator 3: Another baron interrupts.
Henry: The king can’t even protect his Norman dominions from outside attacks! His
administration of justice is unpredictable. There is no way to anticipate what the Normans
will do.
Roger: I understand why the king’s unpredictable administration of justice causes problems,
but how does the loss of Norman territories affect England?
Henry: The battles that resulted in the loss of those territories cost a huge amount of the
country’s income. The military must be paid, but there is not enough money. King John’s
solution is to raise taxes to pay a military that can’t even protect us!
Roger: Let’s create a document to ensure liberties for the people and ourselves as a safeguard
against the king.
Hugh: What will this document represent?
Henry: It will represent the people of good will, who follow the English tradition of law and
justice.
Roger: The people’s laws and rights will be stated as well.
Henry: As soon as the king and Church verify this document, any mob or monarchy
threatening the natural rights of any English citizen will have to face its words.
Roger: And how do you suppose we force the King to sign this document?
Henry: We capture London!
CICERO © 2010
4
Activities: Dialogues
Scene IV
Narrator 4: The barons named their document Articles of the Barons. They put it aside and
discussed a plan to capture London. A majority of the barons banded together and took
London by force on June 10, 1215. The barons, archbishops, abbots, King John, and others
attend a meeting in Runnymede, England. It was hear that King John signed the Articles of
the Barons.
Roger: King John, once you sign this document, you must respect the legal procedures
mentioned in these articles.
Hugh: These laws will bind your authority, King John. Our rights and liberties will be
ensured.
King John: I will sign the document in return for London and in return for your allegiance to
me.
Henry: Don’t forget to attach the Great Seal for verification.
Narrator 4: King John and Pope Innocent II signed the document on June 15, 1215. A
formal copy of the document and the king’s proof of recognition was created. This document
was known as the Magna Carta. The document established laws such as habeas corpus,
which prohibits unlawful imprisonment. Article 61 provided a security clause, which meant
the barons could overrule any decision of the king, if the decision is in violation of the
Magna Carta. American revolutionaries and other people fighting against repressive
governments would revive the democratic reforms mentioned in the Magna Carta.
CICERO © 2010
5
Activities: Dialogues
Magna Carta: The Source of Liberty
Discussion Questions:
1.) What American governmental documents did the Magna Carta affect?
2.) Name three conditions that prompted the creation of the Magna Carta.
3.) Would the founders of American democracy have produced government documents
espousing the same democratic ideals without the inspiration of the Magna Carta?
Why or why not?
CICERO © 2010
6