What was the primary purpose of the Magna Carta signed in 1215?

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, primarily served to limit the powers of the king, specifically King John of England. It arose from the barons' frustrations with King John's arbitrary rule and heavy taxation, leading them to seek guarantees of their rights and privileges. By asserting that the king was not above the law, the Magna Carta laid the groundwork for the development of constitutional governance. It introduced fundamental principles such as due process and the idea that the monarchy's authority would be constrained by law, which had lasting influences on the development of democratic systems and legal frameworks in subsequent centuries.

While promoting feudalism was a characteristic of the period during which the Magna Carta was created, the document itself did not seek to advance that system; rather, it addressed grievances within that context. The establishment of a new religion and the onset of the Renaissance were developments that occurred in different historical contexts and were not relevant to the primary aims of the Magna Carta.