Which document, written in 1215, established the belief that a monarch's rule was not absolute?

The Magna Carta, written in 1215, is a foundational document that established the principle that a monarch's power is not absolute. It was created in response to King John of England's heavy-handed rule and his exploitation of power, leading to widespread discontent among his barons. The Magna Carta introduced the idea that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law, laying the groundwork for constitutional limits on power. It asserted that the monarch could not levy taxes without the consent of the barons and established various rights for individuals, which helped to shape the future of democratic governance by recognizing the need for checks and balances in political power.

Other options, while significant in the history of governance, do not date as far back as the Magna Carta and address different aspects of governance and rights. The English Bill of Rights, for example, was enacted in 1689 and focused on parliamentary sovereignty, while the Constitution was adopted in 1787 and established a framework for the U.S. government. The Petition of Right, written in 1628, also addressed issues of royal power but came later and was influenced by the principles laid out in the Magna Carta. Thus, the Magna Carta stands as the earliest and most definitive assertion that a monarch