If the government did something to hurt you in the medieval era, your options were limited.
Courts of law had been invented, but they were only sporadically used and you couldn't sue—let alone complain about—the government. Basically, your only option (other than doing nothing) was to grab a sword and try to lead a rebellion, which would almost certainly result in the death of you and your whole family.
Basically, the Magna Carta attempted to bring some rules into a society hungry for some order and discipline.
Questions About Rules and Order
- England had a code of laws before the Magna Carta. But based on the baron's demands, in what ways were the laws failing the people?
- Do you think that the council of twenty-five barons would have done a good job governing England and brought some rule and order? Or would they have become corrupt? Explain.
- Should the council of barons have also included members from other sections of medieval society, such as the clergy and lower classes? Why or why not?
Chew on This
The twenty-five barons would have certainly been a marauding force bent on drunkenly pillaging the king's property.
If the council of barons had come into reality shortly after the Magna Carta, it would have revolutionized the world and brought an enviable stability to England where the people would have basked in the many benefits of rules and order.