what did the barons hope the magna carta would do?

The barons hoped that the Magna Carta would limit King John's powers and protect their rights and privileges. They sought to establish a system of governance where the king could not arbitrarily impose taxes or make decisions without consulting them, thereby ensuring a more balanced power structure. Specifically, the Magna Carta was intended to force King John to recognize the supremacy of ancient liberties, limit his ability to raise funds, and reassert the principle of due process. The barons wanted the king to confirm and respect traditional rights, preventing illegal imprisonment and ensuring access to swift and impartial justice. The charter was essentially a feudal document aimed at protecting the rights and property of powerful families within the feudal system rather than establishing democracy or universal rights at that time.