The Magna Carta's Influence on the Bill of Rights

How The Magna Carta Influenced The Bill of Rights In 1215, the Magna Carta was created to limit the monarch’s powers and for all the freemen in England to keep their rights. In 1788, the Bill of Rights was created, also to limit the power of the government, and for all citizens to keep their rights. They both discuss basic rights. It’s said that the Magna Carta is one of the most important legal documents in all of democracy’s history. At the time, the government and way of rule wasn’t the way that it should’ve been. These documents were created to help the citizens, by limiting the government’s power, so the citizens would have their freedom and liberties. In the Bill of Rights, you can see how some of the amendments came from the Magna Carta, such as needing a witness for trial, and for all citizens and all people to keep their rights, and have freedom. Initially, no one, especially sheriffs, can accuse a man of doing something wrong, without any witnesses. In paragraph 28 of the Magna Carta, it states that “no bailiff is henceforth to put any man on his open law or on oath simply by virtue of his spoken word, without reliable witnesses being produced for the same.” Basically, it’s stating that if a sheriff accuses someone of a crime, he couldn’t just tell the higher officials. He would have to find and use a reliable witness, for trial. In amendment 6 of the Bill of Rights, it clearly states that “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, […] ;to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor […]” Clearly, a witness needs to be present at trial, to provide evidence to what really happened and can bring some truth into the story. Additionally, all people should have the right to freedom. In paragraph 1 of the Magna Carta, it states that “in the first place, we grant to God and confirm by this our present charter for ourselves and our heirs in perpetuity that the English Church is to be free and to have all its rights fully and its liberties entirely.” Also, it states that this charter is for all the freemen, and that this is for them to have and to hold forever. Basically, all they’re trying to say is that the Church should be free and should be able to have people of different religions, so not one religion has to be imposed on anyone else. In amendment 1 of the Bill of Rights, is says that “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Without a doubt, freedom was very important to people at the time, especially for those who didn’t have any. All in all, In the Bill of Rights, you can see how some of the amendments came from the Magna Carta, such as needing a witness for trial, and for all citizens and all people to keep their rights, and have freedom. In 1215, the Magna Carta was created to limit the powers of the king and for all the freemen to keep their rights, in England. In 1788, the Bill of Rights was created, to limit the government’s power, and for all citizens to keep their rights. The Magna Carta is one of the most important legal documents in all of democracy’s history. At the time, the government and way of rule wasn’t the way that it should’ve been. These documents were created to help the citizens, by limiting the government’s power, so the citizens would have their freedom and liberties.