Which document established that not even the king or queen was above the law?

Which document established that not even the king or queen was above the law?

• A. Mayflower Compact
• B. English Bill of Rights
• C. Declaration of Independence
• D. Magna Carta

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that rulers are not above the law. Magna Carta, signed in 1215, established that the king’s actions could be limited by laws and that certain rights must be protected, including due process before someone can be punished or have their property taken. This introduced the important principle that the ruler’s power is constrained by the law, laying a foundation for later constitutional developments that emphasize protecting individual rights and restraining government. While the other documents contribute to ideas about government and rights, Magna Carta is the earliest to put the ruler under the law itself, making it the best answer.

The main idea here is that rulers are not above the law. Magna Carta, signed in 1215, established that the king’s actions could be limited by laws and that certain rights must be protected, including due process before someone can be punished or have their property taken. This introduced the important principle that the ruler’s power is constrained by the law, laying a foundation for later constitutional developments that emphasize protecting individual rights and restraining government. While the other documents contribute to ideas about government and rights, Magna Carta is the earliest to put the ruler under the law itself, making it the best answer.