The significance of the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, lay in its role in limiting the powers of the monarchy and establishing the principle that no one is above the law, not even the king. It was a response to King John’s overreach and heavy taxation, providing a framework for protecting the rights of nobles and, eventually, common citizens. The Magna Carta introduced concepts such as due process and the right to a fair trial, laying the groundwork for modern democratic systems and constitutional law. Its enduring legacy has influenced legal traditions worldwide.