At Runnymede, King John of England was forced by a group of rebel barons to sign the Magna Carta (Great Charter). The document was intended to limit the king's power and protect the rights of the nobility against illegal imprisonment and excessive taxation. While it didn't immediately create a democracy, its famous Clause 39 established the principle of 'due process' and the idea that even the king is subject to the law. This became one of the most important documents in history, serving as a foundational influence on the development of common law and constitutional documents worldwide, including the United States Bill of Rights. It remains a powerful symbol of liberty and the struggle against arbitrary rule.