<P> Although , as the historian David Carpenter has noted , the charter `` wasted no time on political theory '' , it went beyond simply addressing individual baronial complaints , and formed a wider proposal for political reform . It promised the protection of church rights , protection from illegal imprisonment , access to swift justice , and , most importantly , limitations on taxation and other feudal payments to the Crown , with certain forms of feudal taxation requiring baronial consent . It focused on the rights of free men -- in particular the barons . However , the rights of serfs were included in articles 16 , 20 , and 28 . Its style and content reflected Henry I 's Charter of Liberties , as well as a wider body of legal traditions , including the royal charters issued to towns , the operations of the Church and baronial courts and European charters such as the Statute of Pamiers . </P>
<P> Although , as the historian David Carpenter has noted , the charter `` wasted no time on political theory '' , it went beyond simply addressing individual baronial complaints , and formed a wider proposal for political reform . It promised the protection of church rights , protection from illegal imprisonment , access to swift justice , and , most importantly , limitations on taxation and other feudal payments to the Crown , with certain forms of feudal taxation requiring baronial consent . It focused on the rights of free men -- in particular the barons . However , the rights of serfs were included in articles 16 , 20 , and 28 . Its style and content reflected Henry I 's Charter of Liberties , as well as a wider body of legal traditions , including the royal charters issued to towns , the operations of the Church and baronial courts and European charters such as the Statute of Pamiers . </P>
the magna carta only gave rights to free people . who was not free in medieval england
the magna carta only gave rights to free people . who was not free in medieval england
serfs
serfs