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Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was signed by King John in Medieval England in June 1215. "Magna Carta" is Latin for "Great Charter". The document was a written set of promises that the king would abide by the customs of fuedal law. This meant that the king's power would be more limited than it previously was. The document was made by the barons to prevent the king from abusing his power. -
The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact legally bound the pilgrims together when they first reached New England, arriving aboard the Mayflower. The pilgrims chose not to settle where they had originally recieved permission by England to settle, so while they waited on a new legal patent to settle where Plymouth was founded, the male passengers of the Mayflower signed The Mayflower Compact to establish a civil society and maintain order during their wait. -
The Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was a document presented by English Parliament member Sir Edward Coke in response to King Charles I breaking up Parliament and ruling England on his own. The Petition of Right reminded the king that he was not above the law by citing The Magna Carta. The document focused on the violations of the king. These included denying Englishmen due process, the right to trial by jury, protection from unjust property seizure of imprisonment and unjust punishments or excessive fines. -
The General Fundamental
The General Fundamental was a declaration that compiled a series of laws formulated by the Plymouth colonists between 1636 and 1671. The General Fundamental contained a "rudimentary bill of rights" for the colonists. These rights included the rights of a speedy trial, due process, trial by jury, annual representative elections, and most importantly, religious freedom. -
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Fundemental Orders of Connecticut consisted of a preamble and 11 orders or laws. It was adopted by representatives of the towns of Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford, meeting at Hartford. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut mainly focused on the welfare of the community as opposed to the individual. -
The English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was a statutory restatement of the Declaration of Right from March 1689. The document listed the rights of Parliament and rules for freedom of speech in Parliament, the right to petition, and the requirement to regular elections to Parliament. It also reinstated the right for Protestants to bear arms.