The Magna Carta

The Magna Carta

The Magna Carta was a charter (Magna Carta means great charter) that was signed by King John and some angry barons who wanted more in return for the taxes they were obliged to pay him. It meant they could own their property, be judged fairly by their peers and would have to be consulted if taxes were raised.

It was signed in 1215 in a place called Runnymede and it was one of the first agreements that gave more power to the people. The people in question here were in fact extremely rich and powerful French-speaking aristocrats but it is the thought that counts. It is said to have inspired the founding fathers when they wrote the US constitution.

Eight hundred years later, the British prime minister, David Cameron was invited on to a US talkshow and interviewed by David Letterman. The host tried to trap Mr. Cameron by asking if he knew what the Magna Carta meant in English. Watch the video to see if he got the answer right.