Which historic document most clearly established a broad list of rights of citizens in a written form?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to the evolution of constitutionalism and the protection of individual rights in British and American history. Several famous documents contributed to the recognition of citizens' rights, but some are more comprehensive than others. Understanding the differences between Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights and the Habeas Corpus Act helps clarify how modern ideas of civil liberties developed.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Three classic constitutional documents are listed: Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights and the Habeas Corpus Act.
• The question asks which one established a broad list of rights of citizens in a clear written form.
• We assume a general comparative history context, combining British and early American constitutional developments.

Concept / Approach:
Magna Carta (1215) was an early charter that mainly protected certain feudal rights and placed limits on the king, particularly regarding taxation and arbitrary detention. The Habeas Corpus Act focused more narrowly on protection against unlawful detention. The Bill of Rights, particularly the English Bill of Rights of 1689 and the later American Bill of Rights, provided a more systematic list of rights such as freedom of speech in Parliament, fair trials and protection from cruel punishments. In exam practice, the phrase establishing rights of citizens in a broad sense is most commonly associated with the Bill of Rights.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the main purpose of Magna Carta: limiting royal power and protecting some baronial privileges, not providing a full list of rights for all citizens. Step 2: Recall the focus of the Habeas Corpus Act as a safeguard against arbitrary arrest and detention rather than a broad rights charter. Step 3: Recognise that the Bill of Rights is known for systematically listing several rights and freedoms. Step 4: Compare this understanding with the options and identify the Bill of Rights as the document that most clearly fits the description. Step 5: Select The Bill of Rights as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick way to check is to think of how these documents are mentioned in textbooks. Magna Carta is often referred to as a first step toward constitutional government, but not as a full rights list for all. The Bill of Rights is regularly cited in discussions of civil liberties, both in the British and American contexts. The Habeas Corpus Act is discussed mainly under the topic of procedural safeguards against unlawful imprisonment.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Magna Carta) is historically important but limited in scope, focusing on the rights of nobles and certain procedural protections rather than a broad catalogue of citizen rights.
Option C (The Habeas Corpus Act) has a narrow focus on ensuring that detained persons can challenge the legality of their detention, which is a crucial right but not a full rights charter.
Option D (None of the above) is incorrect because one of the documents, namely the Bill of Rights, does meet the requirement of a broad written statement of rights.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes equate age with completeness and therefore assume that Magna Carta must be the primary rights document simply because it is older. Another mistake is to assume that habeas corpus itself is a complete bill of rights, when it is actually a single but very important legal safeguard. Being aware of the distinct roles of each document helps avoid confusion.

Final Answer:
The historic document that most clearly established a broad list of rights of citizens in written form is the Bill of Rights.