The Magna Carta was the charter, written in 1215, which was the compilation of 37 English laws which had been in effect before the Normans invaded. This social contract demonstrated, among other things, that the power of the king could be limited, and it was the basis for the U.S. Constitution.
Recommended Resources
Fraunces Tavern Museum: The 1215 Magna Carta
Offers photographs and information about this museum exhibit revolving around the Magna Carta, despite the fact that the exhibit has concluded. It still proffers the brochure as well as educational materials, audio, and video.
http://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org/magna-carta.html
Shares the announcement of an exhibit containing the Magna Carter in 2011, as well as a Public Radio short on the document.
http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/legion/exhibitions/magna-carta
Contains the story of King John and the Magna Cartga, the king's battle with the church, and the meeting at Runnymede.
http://www.crf-usa.org/foundations-of-our-constitution/magna-carta.html
Project Gutenberg's The Magna Carta
Presents an ebook about the document, written by an anonymous author. This book contains numerous versions of the Magna Carta.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10000
U.S. National Archives: The Magna Carta
Presents historical and factual information about the Magna Carts, written in 1297. Aside from displaying an image of the actual document and the text, it offers an explanation of what it is and why it was so important.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/
