Magna Carta, also known as the Great Chapter or a charter of liberties, was written eight hundred years ago, by 40 English barons. It was written to protect them and their properties against their tyrannical king. To avoid possible war, King John has sealed the document on June 15, 1215. The whole world is now preparing to celebrate the Magna Carta Anniversary.
Although it was designed to protect rights and properties of English aristocracy, there are two really important principles expressed in this document that shaped the entire history. The first one says that no man cannot be prosecuted or deprived of the rights and freedoms, or harmed in any other way, by anyone's will, except by the law. This principle is now contained in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.
Clause 40 contains one very important sentence. It says that all people have rights and the right on justice. No man is above the Law, not even a king. These essential principles are embedded into the law. During the American Revolution, these laws were used for asserting the liberty from the English crown. The same rights are the foundation for the Constitution, and guaranteed by it.
Magna Carta is certainly one of, if not the most important documents in the history of democracy. This was the first time that it was clearly said that no king was above the Common Law. Freedoms guaranteed in these two chapters make this document the most important endowment of Great Britain to the rest of the world. This was actually the birth of democracy known today, and that's why it's so important.
Once sealed, a charter of liberties could not be denied ever again. All future sovereigns had to respect it. The document was reissued for a few times, and the final version was issued in 1225. The entire English system of Common law is based on the principles contained in the Great Charter. Thanks to that, the Founding Fathers could assert American liberty from the English crown, and they finally did it in 1776.
A charter of liberties is really a symbol of freedom under law. The interesting thing is that it was called the Articles of the Barons at first, and as such sealed on June 15, 1215. The formal version named Magna Carta was issued by the Barons and the King four days after that, on June 19. The King has sealed it only to prevent the war. The Barons were mainly concerned about their rights. The war still broke out, but the importance of this document still echoes.
The original document was written in Latin, and it was concerned about various rights of aristocracy. These 63 clauses are actually the first written constitution in the history of democracy. The most famous clauses 39 and 40 are included in numerous Laws and Constitutions. For example, clause 39 was included in the Petition of Right, in 1628. Numerous other legal acts contain these same principles.
The legacy of Magna Carta is clearly visible in the Bill of Rights. It shaped the entire Constitution, especially the Fifth Amendment, which clearly echoes this famous Clause 39. Written eight hundred years ago, this small, but enormously important charter of liberties is probably the most important document for the democracy in general.
Although it was designed to protect rights and properties of English aristocracy, there are two really important principles expressed in this document that shaped the entire history. The first one says that no man cannot be prosecuted or deprived of the rights and freedoms, or harmed in any other way, by anyone's will, except by the law. This principle is now contained in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.
Clause 40 contains one very important sentence. It says that all people have rights and the right on justice. No man is above the Law, not even a king. These essential principles are embedded into the law. During the American Revolution, these laws were used for asserting the liberty from the English crown. The same rights are the foundation for the Constitution, and guaranteed by it.
Magna Carta is certainly one of, if not the most important documents in the history of democracy. This was the first time that it was clearly said that no king was above the Common Law. Freedoms guaranteed in these two chapters make this document the most important endowment of Great Britain to the rest of the world. This was actually the birth of democracy known today, and that's why it's so important.
Once sealed, a charter of liberties could not be denied ever again. All future sovereigns had to respect it. The document was reissued for a few times, and the final version was issued in 1225. The entire English system of Common law is based on the principles contained in the Great Charter. Thanks to that, the Founding Fathers could assert American liberty from the English crown, and they finally did it in 1776.
A charter of liberties is really a symbol of freedom under law. The interesting thing is that it was called the Articles of the Barons at first, and as such sealed on June 15, 1215. The formal version named Magna Carta was issued by the Barons and the King four days after that, on June 19. The King has sealed it only to prevent the war. The Barons were mainly concerned about their rights. The war still broke out, but the importance of this document still echoes.
The original document was written in Latin, and it was concerned about various rights of aristocracy. These 63 clauses are actually the first written constitution in the history of democracy. The most famous clauses 39 and 40 are included in numerous Laws and Constitutions. For example, clause 39 was included in the Petition of Right, in 1628. Numerous other legal acts contain these same principles.
The legacy of Magna Carta is clearly visible in the Bill of Rights. It shaped the entire Constitution, especially the Fifth Amendment, which clearly echoes this famous Clause 39. Written eight hundred years ago, this small, but enormously important charter of liberties is probably the most important document for the democracy in general.
About the Author:
The magna carta anniversary is approaching fast and Boston communities are urged to log on to our website for more info. If you know someone who is need of aid, please visit the homepage to apply for assistance at http://magnacarta-britsoc.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment