Magna Carta - Things To Remember While Reading Excerpts From The Magna Carta:
Things to remember while reading excerpts from the Magna Carta:
- Clause 1 addressed freedom of the church. Influenced by Archbishop of Canterbury Langton, it promised that the church could elect its officials free of royal interference and sought to halt King John's challenges to the church. This clause was not in the Articles of Barons sealed at Runnymede but apparently was added at the royal chancery.
- Clauses 2, 7, and 12 limited the power of the king in demanding extremely high fees and in controlling the personal lives of his subjects.
- Clause 13 is an example of a clause directed at a special interest group, the citizens of cities, rather than land barons.
- Clause 20 limited court fines.
- Clauses 39 and 40 are considered to be what helped set apart the Magna Carta over time. With these words they introduce the idea of trial by jury and due process.
- Clause 52 provided "redress" or compensation for a wrong.
- Clause 61 provided a way to enforce the Magna Carta.
- Note that anytime "we" is used it refers to the king and the royal officers.
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