King John of England is known for his role in the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. Facing discontent among the barons due to his heavy taxation and arbitrary rule, John was pressured to agree to this charter, which limited the powers of the king and safeguarded certain legal rights for subjects, such as the right to a fair trial. The Magna Carta is considered one of the foundational documents of modern democracy, influencing the development of constitutional law and principles of justice in various democracies around the world. It established the notion that even monarchs are subject to the law.