The Salisbury exemplification measure approx 14 x 17 inches (36 x 44 cms)
and is written on vellum, a fine parchment made of calf skin
The Magna Carta
Magna Carta is often thought of as the corner-stone of liberty
and the chief defence against arbitrary and unjust rule in England.
In fact it contains few sweeping statements of principle, but
is a series of concessions wrung from the unwilling King John
by his rebellious barons in 1215.
However, Magna Carta established for the first time a very significant
constitutional principle, namely that the power of the king could
be limited by a written grant.
King John's unsuccessful attempts to defend his dominions in Normandy
and much of western France led to oppressive demands on his subjects.
Taxes were extortionate - reprisals against defaulters were ruthless,
and John's administration of justice was considered capricious.
In January 1215 a group of barons demanded a charter of liberties
as a safeguard against the King's arbitrary behaviour.
The barons took up arms against John and captured London in May
1215.
By 10 June both parties met and held negotiations at Runnymede,
a meadow by the River Thames.
The concessions made by King John were outlined in a document
known as the 'Articles of the Barons', to which the King's great
seal was attached, and on 19 June the barons renewed their oaths
of allegiance to the King.
Meanwhile the royal chancery produced a formal royal grant, based
on the agreements reached at Runnymede, which became known as
Magna Carta (Latin for the 'Great Charter').
Four copies of this original grant survive.
Two are held at the British Library while the others can be
seen in the cathedral archives at Lincoln and Salisbury.
The Magna Carta
of 1215
The Magna Carta was signed in June 1215 between the barons of
Medieval England and King John.
"Magna Carta" is Latin and means "Great Charter".
The Magna Carta was one of the most important documents of Medieval
England.
It was signed between the barons and John at Runnymede near Windsor
Castle.
The document was a series of written promises between the king
and his subjects that he, the king, would govern England and deal
with its people according to the customs of feudal law.
Magna Carta was an attempt by the barons to stop a king - in this
case John - abusing his power with the people of England suffering.
Why would a king - who was meant to be all powerful in his own
country - agree to the demands of the barons who were meant to
be below him in authority?
England had for some years owned land in France.
The barons had provided the king with both money and men to defend
this territory.
Traditionally, the king had always consulted the barons before
raising taxes (as they had to collect it) and demanding more men
for military service (as they had to provide the men).
This was all part of the Feudal System.
While kings were militarily successful abroad, relations between
the kings and the barons were good.
John was not successful in his military campaigns abroad.
His constant demands for more money and men angered the barons.
By 1204, John had lost his land in northern France.
In response to this, John introduced high taxes without asking
the barons.
This was against feudal law and accepted custom.
John made mistakes in other areas as well.
He angered the Roman Catholic Church.
The pope, angered by John's behaviour, banned all church services
in England in 1207.
Religion, and the fear of Hell, were very important to the people
including the barons.
The Catholic Church taught the people that they could only get
to Heaven if the Catholic Church believed that they were good
enough to got there.
How could they show their goodness and love of God if the churches
were shut?
Even worse for John was the fact that the pope excommunicated
him in 1209.
This meant that John could never get to Heaven until the pope
withdrew the excommunication.
Faced with this, John climbed down and accepted the power of the
Catholic Church giving them many privileges in 1214.
1214 was a disastrous year for John for another reason.
Once again, he suffered military defeat in an attempt to get back
his territory in northern France.
He returned to London demanding more money from taxes.
This time the barons were not willing to listen.
They rebelled against his power.
The barons captured London.
However, they did not defeat John entirely and by the Spring of
1215, both sides were willing to discuss matters.
The result was the Magna Carta.
What did the Magna Carta bring in?
All
63 clauses of the document can be found by clicking here
The document can be divided into sections
The first clauses concern the position of the Catholic Church
in England.
Those that follow state that John will be less harsh on the barons.
Many of the clauses concern England's legal system.
Magna Carta promised laws that were good and fair.
It states that everyone shall have access to courts and that costs
and money should not be an issue if someone wanted to take a problem
to the law courts.
It also states that no freeman will be imprisoned or punished
without first going through the proper legal system.
In future years the word "freeman" was replaced by "no
one" to include everybody.
The last few sections deal with how the Magna Carta would be enforced
in England.
Twenty five barons were given the responsibility of making sure
the king carried out what was stated in the Magna Carta - the
document clearly states that they could use force if they felt
it was necessary.
To give the Magna Carta an impact, the royal seal of King John
was put on it to show people that it had his royal support.
