The <em>Magna Carta Libertatum</em> (the Great Charter of the Liberties) was a charter of rights agreed to by King George of England in June 15, 1215.
It was first drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and it promised the protection of church rights, protection from illegal imprisonment for the barons, access to justice and limitations on payments to the Crown. The charter was later annulled by by Pope Innocent III. After John's death, the document was reissued in 1216 somewhat altered. Finally, in 1297, the Magna Carta was confirmed as part of England's statute law.
The Magna Carta has been influential in the development of law systems all over the world, especially those of the Commonwealth.
