The Magna Carta is not the groundbreaking document many people believe it is. Other manuscripts wherewith kings had to make concessions to satisfy other parties preceded it.
Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa was one of a long line of rulers forced to make concessions. In 1183, he signed the Treaty of Constance, which allowed the cities in the kingdom certain freedoms to hold elections for councils, enact legislation, and essentially gave powers of self-governance. In 1188, Alphonse IX of León convened the Cortes of León, a meeting of nobles, clergy, and townsmen. The Corte laid down laws that were in part similar to ones that were enacted in the Magna Carta 17 years later. These laws were less concerned with gaining concessions from the monarch;