Medieval World: Magna Carta

PowerPoint that considers why Magna Carta matters both in medieval England but also today. The lesson focuses on the key terms of the document, King John and Pope Innocent III’s reaction, King Henry III and Magna Carta and the document’s lasting legacy.

Activities include

• Teacher introduction on the background to Magna Carta’s sealing supported by information on the PowerPoint.
• Starter activity in which pupils consider a selection of clauses from the document and discuss which is the most significant and which three clauses remain part of UK law today.
• Source analysis activity on whether clause 39 protected the liberty of everyone.
• Source analysis activity on why a letter from Pope Innocent III meant Magna Carta did not solve the problem of ‘Bad’ King John.
• Reading and comprehension exercise on changing events in England to answer a question on why Magna Carta succeeded in 1216 having failed in 1215.
• Source analysis exercise on why Magna Carta still matters today by looking at Universal Declaration of Human Rights, President Roosevelt’s speech, the Fifth Amendment, Nelson Mandela’s speech and a Suffragette cartoon amongst other sources.

Designed for teaching an academically able Key Stage 3 class covering the Medieval World.
Lesson Length: 1 hour depending on pace.