MAGNA CARTA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1939, Page 9

MAGNA CARTA

CHARTER OF BRITISH LIBERTY. June 15, 1215—One of the greatest days in English history. John Lackland, most notorious of in his pavilion on Runnymede Island, a small piece of land in the Thames. John cowered as his determined barons stood before him. There was no way out, and he was forced to scribble a trembling signature at the foot of Magna Carta—* the fundamental charter of British liberty. The charter is of outstanding importance in that it lays down the basic principle that the law is above the king. The document was divided into sixty three clauses dealing in a haphazard way with the grievances of th - barons. The king was forbidden to take unjust reliefs and aids, to waste (he lands of minors, or to abuse the forest laws and such privileges as purveyance. The interests of the church, the towns and undertenants were not forgotten. In the sphere of justice, the most famous clause is that which enunciated the original principle of Habeas Corpus. Other questions dealt with were equality before the law. taxation by Parliament and the checking of the growth of Royal as opposed to feudal justice. The value of the charter was shown by the frequent re-assertion of its principles under John's successors. It was confirmed on no fewer than thirtyseven occasions.