The other problem with the glorification of Magna Carta is that the barons who forced it on the king were the opposite of revolutionaries. They were trying to force the king to follow what they believed was already the law, not to make new laws.
Of all the many kings before him, none had managed to alienate so many of his most powerful barons. He didn’t really do much his ancestors hadn’t done, but he did it more often and, most particularly, using methods that infuriated the barons.
Magna Carta wasn’t even their most dramatic expression of anger with the king. That was in the following year, when they invited the French Dauphin to be their new king! He invaded and was supported by many of the barons.
Then John died. This should presumably have meant a swift victory by Prince Louis. But what actually happened was that nobody had anything against the very young King Henry III, and Prince Louis’ English support melted away.
Thank you for your perspective. I’m just a beginner learning about history so I don’t know how to respond, but it is very fascinating to me.
I was going to give you a link to this somewhat related thread, but I see that you are already on it! :)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3241612/posts