What document signed in 1214 limited royal authority?

The document that limited royal authority in 1214 is the Magna Carta. This foundational text emerged from the conflict between King John of England and a group of rebellious barons. The Magna Carta set forth principles that curbed the king's powers, establishing the idea that the monarchy was not above the law. It introduced concepts such as due process and the right to a fair trial, laying the groundwork for subsequent legal frameworks and constitutional developments.

The significance of the Magna Carta extends beyond its immediate context; it became a powerful symbol of the struggle for individual liberties against arbitrary power, influencing later democratic documents, including the U.S. Constitution. In contrast, the U.S. Constitution was created much later, in 1787, to establish the framework of the U.S. government. The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States but was eventually deemed ineffective, leading to the drafting of the Constitution. The English Bill of Rights, enacted in 1689, was a separate legal document that also aimed to limit the powers of the monarchy but came after the Magna Carta. Thus, the Magna Carta stands out as a pivotal document in the history of limited government authority.