In 1215, king John, faced with the possibility of revolt and civil war, agreed to the demands of his Barons and granted the Magna Carta. It was re-issued in 1216, 1217, and again in 1225 with certain revisions.

The Magna Carta was the first document of its kind in that it bound not only the king's subjects, but the king and all of his heirs as well, to the laws of the land. Thus, making no man above the law.

The charter was ordered read throught the kingdom and when establishing new lands, a copy of these charters were brought along so that the new subjects would know of the guarantee of liberty and freedom granted by the king.