UK Citizenship Practice Test 2025 - Free Citizenship Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is the significant document that limited the power of the monarchy in England. This landmark charter was agreed upon by King John and a group of rebel barons at Runnymede, near the River Thames. Its primary aim was to address the grievances of the barons regarding the king's arbitrary rule and excessive taxation.

The Magna Carta established the principle that everyone, including the king, is subject to the law. It introduced foundational concepts such as the right to a fair trial and protection from unlawful imprisonment, which have influenced many modern democratic systems and legal frameworks. The ideas from the Magna Carta helped pave the way for the development of constitutional law and the establishment of parliamentary democracy in England.

In contrast, the other documents listed have their own significance but were created in different historical contexts. The Bill of Rights, for instance, was enacted in 1689 and outlined certain rights of individuals as well as the rights of Parliament, while the Act of Settlement, passed in 1701, determined the succession to the English throne. The Petition of Right, enacted in 1628, sought to address specific grievances related to the imposition of taxes and unlawful imprisonment, but it built upon the principles established by the Magna