R48PRIMARYSOURCEHANDBOOK
from the Magna Carta
SETTING THE STAGE King John ruled England from 1199 to 1216. When he raised taxes
to finance his wars, his nobles revolted. On June 15, 1215, they forced King John to agree to
the Magna Carta (Great Charter). This document, drawn up by English nobles and reluctantly
approved by the king, guaranteed certain basic political rights.1.According to Article 1, to whom does the king
grant the rights enumerated in the Magna Carta?
2.What are some of the liberties granted by the
king to his subjects?
3.What do Articles 38 and 39 suggest about the
fairness of arrests and trials in King John’s
England?4.What does Article 40 suggest about the king’s
use of power?
5.What impact might the Magna Carta have had
on developing ideas of representative
government?- In the first place [I, John,] have granted to God and
by this for our present Charter have confirmed, for us
and our heirs... , that the English church shall be
free, and shall have its rights undiminished and its
liberties unimpaired.... We have also granted to all
the free men of our realm for ourselves and our heirs
for ever, all the liberties written below, to have and
hold, them and their heirs from us and our heirs.... - No scutage [tax] or aid is to be levied in our realm
except by the common counsel of our realm, unless it
is for the ransom of our person, the knighting of our
eldest son or the first marriage of our eldest daughter;
and for these only a reasonable aid is to be levied. Aids
from the city of London are to be treated likewise. - And the city of London is to have all its ancient
liberties and free customs both by land and water.
Furthermore, we will and grant that all other cities,
boroughs, towns and ports shall have all their liberties
and free customs. - A free man shall not be amerced [fined] for a
trivial offense; and for a serious offense he shall be
amerced according to its gravity, saving his livelihood;
and a merchant likewise, saving his merchandise; in
the same way a villein [serf] shall be amerced saving
his wainage [farming tools]; if they fall into our mercy.
And none of the aforesaid amercements shall be
imposed except by the testimony of reputable men of
the neighborhood.
21. Earls and barons shall not be amerced [fined]
except by their peers and only in accordance with the
nature of the offense....
38. Henceforth no bailiff shall put anyone on trial by
his own unsupported allegation, without bringing
credible witnesses to the charge.
39. No free man shall be taken or imprisoned or
disseised [dispossessed] or outlawed or exiled or in
any way ruined, nor will we go or send against him,
except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the
law of the land.
40. To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or
delay right or justice.
▲King John signs the Magna Carta.