He also agreed that “no free man” could be jailed except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land. This idea eventually developed into a key part of English common law known as habeas corpus, or body of proof. ​

In many ways, Magna Carta only protected the rights and privileges of nobles. However, as time passed, the English people came to regard it as one of the foundations of their rights and liberties.​