Locke was not the first englishman to suggest that people had rights. the british government had recognized its duty to protect the lives, liberties, and property of english citizens long before the settling of its north american colonies. in 1215, king john signed promise to his subjects that he and future monarchs would refrain from certain actions that harmed, or had the potential to harm, the people of england. prominent in provisions are protections for life, liberty, and property. for example, one of the document’s most famous clauses promises, "no freemen shall be taken, imprisoned . . or in any way destroyed . . except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land."