The important English document that laid the foundation for modern democracy and limited the power of the monarch is the Magna Carta, signed in 1215. Authored under pressure from rebellious barons, it established principles such as the rule of law and due process, asserting that the monarch was not above the law. This historic charter influenced later constitutional developments and democratic ideals, inspiring various legal frameworks across the world. The Magna Carta is often considered a cornerstone in the evolution of representative government and the protection of individual rights, establishing the precedent that governing power must be accountable to the people.