On June 15, 1215, King John of England met dissident Barons on a field at Runnymede to sign the “Great Charter of Freedoms” – the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta meant Kings were no longer above the law and was a major step towards personal liberty and parliamentary democracy. Many of the principles laid out on the document laid the groundwork for modern ideas of basic human rights. 

“No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land.

“To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.”
Magna Carta: What is it – and why is it still important today? | The Independent | The Independent

To celebrate the 800th anniversary, the Royal Mail, working with the Magna Carta 800th committee, issued a 6 stamp set highlighting  the Magna Carta and 5 landmark bills/documents that it influenced.  

“The relevance of the Magna Carta in the 21st century is that it is the foundation of liberty. I am delighted that Royal Mail has marked this landmark document, and other key bills and declarations it inspired, with these striking stamps. It is fitting that they will be seen by people all around the world.” Royal Mail Magna Carta stamps celebrate declarations of rights – Design Week

 

Magna Carta, 1215
Simon de Montefort’s Parliament, 1265 
Bill of Rights, 1689 
American Bill of Rights, 1791 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 
Charter of the Commonwealth, 2013
Designer: Howard Brown

 

A total of 63 clauses protected the freedom of the Church, prevented the king from levying taxes without discussion and ensured legal protection – at least for some – against an otherwise tyrannical ruler. The most famous and important of these clauses enshrined the right of ‘free men’ to justice and a fair trial.  Although ‘free men’ at this time only referred to powerful landowners like the Barons, and members of trade guilds, this passage has acquired symbolic significance over the years.

Today, it is one of three original clauses of the Magna Carta that are still preserved in British law.  
Runnymede and Ankerwycke’s History |Surrey | National Trust