The king of England at the time of the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 was King John. His reign was marked by heavy taxation and disputes with the nobility, which led to widespread discontent. The Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, was a result of these tensions; it sought to limit the powers of the king and ensure certain legal rights for the barons and, by extension, the common people. While King John initially resisted the charter, its signing is considered a foundational moment in the development of constitutional law and the establishment of the principle that the monarchy is subject to the law.