The significance of the Magna Carta in English history lies primarily in its role as a foundational document for the development of constitutional law and individual rights. Signed in 1215 by King John of England, the Magna Carta established the principle that the king was subject to the law, rather than above it. This charter secured certain rights for nobles and laid the groundwork for the future representative government. Its enduring legacy influenced subsequent legal systems, particularly the development of democracy and human rights in England and beyond, promoting the idea of due process and limiting arbitrary power.