Please explain the importance of the Magna Carta
Inspeximus issue of Magna Carta, 1297
Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services
Inspeximus issue of Magna Carta, 1297
Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services
Description
The Magna Carta was important in the development of democracy and has influenced many other documents including the Australian Constitution. This 1297 copy of the Magna Carta is displayed at Australian Parliament House. The 1297 Inspeximus issue of the Magna Carta is a rectangular document which is covered in small writing. The text is written in Latin on parchment, and the document features the royal seal of King Edward I.
Permission for publication must be sought from Parliament House Art Collection. Contact DPS Art Services, phone: 02 62775034 or 02 62775123
The Magna Carta is important because it set out the principle that nobody - not even a king or queen - is above the rule of law.
The first version of the Magna Carta or ‘Great Charter’ was written in 1215 as a peace treaty between King John of England and his barons. It established that all people, including King John, had rights and responsibilities under the law. It limited the power of the monarch and protected the rights and freedom of ordinary people.
Although written over 800 years ago, the Magna Carta is one of the world's most famous documents. Its main ideas influenced the development of democracy and inspired other important document like the Australian Constitution.
Australian Parliament House has a rare copy of the original 1297 Inspeximus version of the Magna Carta. Inspeximus means that King Edward 1 - the grandson of King John - checked the document and agreed it was an accurate copy.