Medieval England · 1199-1225

Magna Carta: the king under the law

In June 1215 King John seals a charter in a meadow beside the Thames, promising to rule by the law. Students explore why the barons forced him, read the most famous clauses and ask who Magna Carta really protected.

Teach it live New Open on the map
Length
50 minutes
Ages
12–15
On the map
3 steps, AD 1200 to AD 1214
Live lesson
7 rounds, 3 on the map
Worksheet
Two A4 pages, with Classroom
You need
A projector; phones for live

Live lesson · new in Classroom

Teach it live. The class answers on their phones.

Put the board on the projector. Students join with a six-digit code, no account needed, and tap the map: where was the frontier, where did the grain come from. Their pins drop in together when you reveal, and the closest student takes the round.

€19 per month: every lesson live, every worksheet, cancel anytime. Rome at its height runs live for free.

A live lesson on the projector: the class's pins on the map around Alexandria, the closest students listed beside it A student's phone: the question and a map to tap
7 rounds
3 places to find on the map, quiz questions, a class vote and a one-line answer.
About 15 minutes
Run it as the map step, or to open the discussion. You move on with the space bar.
A report
Every answer, per student and per round, to read back or print after the lesson.
1

Introduction

5 min

Read aloud

In June 1215 King John seals a charter in a meadow beside the Thames, promising to rule by the law. Students explore why the barons forced him, read the most famous clauses and ask who Magna Carta really protected.

By the end of the lesson, students can

  • Explain why King John and the barons came into conflict by 1215.
  • Read and explain clauses 39 and 40 of Magna Carta in modern words.
  • Evaluate who Magna Carta protected in 1215 and how its meaning grew later.
2

Explore the map

15 min

Project the map, or let students follow on their own devices. Each step opens the map at the right year and place.

a

AD 1200

An empire lost

Open the map in 1200 and find the Angevin Empire, the lands of the English kings in England and France. Then jump to 1279. What has the English king lost?

Open this view on the map
b

AD 1215

Runnymede

Set the year to 1215 and turn on Historical Events (Political Events). Find the Magna Carta marker near Windsor. Why would king and barons meet in a meadow between the royal castle and London?

Open this view on the map
c

AD 1214

Defeat in France

Zoom out to see England and northern France. In 1214 John's allies lost a great battle at Bouvines, near Lille. How could defeat abroad weaken a king at home?

Open this view on the map
3

Class discussion

15 min

Pick two or three. They run from what happened to why it mattered.

  1. John lost Normandy in 1204 and raised heavy taxes to win it back. Why did that anger the barons?
  2. Clause 39 says no free man may be imprisoned except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. Why is that so important?
  3. Most people in England in 1215 were unfree peasants, not "free men". Who did Magna Carta leave out?
  4. The pope cancelled Magna Carta within three months, yet it was reissued in 1216, 1217 and 1225. Why did it survive?
  5. Magna Carta inspired the United States Bill of Rights and other charters of rights. How can an old document gain new meanings?
4

Game round

10 min

Play Rule History as Genghis Khan, who was at war in northern China in the same years King John faced his barons. Afterwards, compare: Genghis Khan's power had few limits, while John had to accept some. Which kind of rule is better for ordinary people?

Open Rule History
5

Worksheet

5 min

This worksheet comes with Classroom

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