The Magna Carta, signed by King John of England in 1215, has long been celebrated as a foundational charter of liberty. In practice, the document mostly protected the privileges of feudal barons against royal abuse; only a small fraction of English society benefited directly from its provisions. Its later mythic status, scholars argue, reflects centuries of selective reinterpretation more than its original scope.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
- A
King John was an unjust ruler.
- Bcheck_circle
The Magna Carta's reputation as a charter of liberty owes more to later reinterpretation than to its original scope.
- C
The Magna Carta granted liberty to all English subjects in 1215.
- D
Feudalism was abolished by the Magna Carta.
Explanation
The passage's central claim distinguishes original scope from later mythic status — B. A and D contradict; C is incidental.