England Objects to the Treaty of Versailles, June 1, 1919

Journal of Liberal History

On This Day

22 June 1215

King John reluctantly puts his seal to the Magna Carta

The document, signed in Runnymead, laid down important restrictions on the power of the king and ensured the privileges of the barons were protected. In the 20th century Lord Denning described Magna Carta as, ‘The greatest constitutional document of all times – the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot’.