In-Text References

Historical and Political References

• JOHN, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou (Preamble.1)
• Stephen, archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England, and cardinal of the holy Roman Church (Preamble.2, 55.1, 62.2)
• Henry archbishop of Dublin (Preamble.2, 62.2) 
• Master Pandulf subdeacon and member of the papal household (Preamble.2, 62.2)

Religious figures included in the preamble:

• William bishop of London
• Peter bishop of Winchester
• Jocelin bishop of Bath and Glastonbury
• Hugh bishop of Lincoln
• Walter bishop of Worcester
• William bishop of Coventry
• Benedict bishop of Rochester
• Brother Aymeric master of the knighthood of the Temple in England (Preamble.2)

Nobles who were advising King John at the time of the creation of the Magna Carta:

• William Marshal earl of Pembroke
• William earl of Salisbury
• William earl of Warren
• William earl of Arundel
• Alan of Galloway constable of Scotland
• Warin fitz Gerald
• Peter fitz Herbert
• Hubert de Burgh seneschal of Poitou
• Hugh de Neville
• Matthew fitz Herbert
• Thomas Basset
• Alan Basset
• Philip Daubeny
• Robert de Roppeley
• John Marshal
• John fitz Hugh (Preamble.2)
• Pope Innocent III (1.2)

Mercenaries from France who, King John hired to act as officials:

• Gerard de Athée 
• Engelard de Cigogné
• Peter, Guy
• Andrew de Chanceaux
• Guy de Cigogné
• Geoffrey de Martigny and his brothers
• Philip Marc and his brothers, with Geoffrey his nephew, and all their followers (50.1)

• King Henry (52.2, 53.1, 57.1) Referring to King John's father Henry II of England
• King Richard (52.2, 53.1, 57.1) Referring to King John's brother Richard I of England

• "the son of Llywelyn" (58.1) Refers to Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Fawr the son of Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great who was married to King John's illegitimate daughter Joan (Gruffydd was Llywelyn's son by a previous marriage).

• "sisters and hostages of Alexander, king of Scotland […] William, formerly king of Scotland" (59.1) refers to Isabella and Margaret, sisters to Alexander II King of Scotland (all children of William the previous King of Scotland). King John was holding Isabella and Margaret hostage to prevent them from being married to the royal family of France, which would unite his two main enemies. Meanwhile Alexander II had joined the rebel barons and was fighting against King John.

References to This Text

Literary and Philosophical References

• The Magna Carta is referenced in virtually every book written about law and/or government and published in English for hundreds of years.

Historical and Political References

• The Magna Carta obviously influenced virtually every constitutional government and democracy around the world, although rarely do the founding documents of governments cite their sources of inspiration. However, it has been mentioned in numerous legal cases from the U.S. Supreme Court on down, particularly in cases where the president must abide by the same laws as the people.

• Many important political figures have directly referenced the Magna Carta in public speeches including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Franklin Roosevelt in his 3rd Inaugural Address.

Pop Culture References

• Important, original documents on topics other than government sometimes earn themselves the nickname, "The Magna Carta of [insert topic here]." One example of this is the "Magna Carta of Baseball" which is a handwritten list of rules for playing baseball from 1857.
• John Philip Sousa wrote "The Magna Charta March" in 1927, and wanted it performed every year on June 15 to celebrate the anniversaries of the signing.
• In 1965 a series of five-cent Magna Carta postage stamps were issued in the U.S.
• A British progressive rock group formed in the late 1960's (and apparently still performing) goes by the name "Magna Carta."
• Jay Z launched his album Magna Carta Holy Grail in 2013 at Salisbury Cathedral, home of one of the original copies of the 1215 charter.
• In the 1997 episode of The Simpsons titled "Realty Bites," Lisa Simpson sings a short song about the Magna Carta set the tune of Camptown Races: "In 1215 at Runnymede, do da, do, da. The nobles and the king agreed, oh da doo da day."
• A 1983 episode of Doctor Who called "The King's Demons" is set at the signing of the Magna Carta and involves robots plotting to replace King John.
• Many films and plays include portrayals of King John (all negative by the way) but few include the Magna Carta. The 2010 version of Robin Hood is an exception to this, as it makes reference to supporting an important charter that King John disagreed with.