MAGNA CARTA
TRANSLATION
1215
24 No member of government may make a complaint against
any noble. "Pleas of our crown" = "complaint of the
people."
34 "Praecipe" = order to show cause against property.
"Rights" are property. A free man (i.e. nobleman) hand
his own land and people (slaves). The king may not
force a nobleman into the kings court in such a way
that the nobleman would not be able to run his own
court.
36 All prosecutions by the government are free, if the
prosecution involves the taking away the life or
limb (liberty, rights) of the defendant.
38 No government official may be a witness in court.
39 One can only be put in jail if a jury puts him there
(or if he agrees to be put there)
40 Free justice, without delay.
45 Key officials must be knowledgeable about the law, and
willing to obey it. If the sheriff consults with the
county counsel, then he must quit his job.
52 The civil grand jury is the surety of the peace. Any
problems with government must be resolved by the grand
jury. The civil grand jury has the last word--no
appeal.
55 Unjust judgments are illegal, and can be ignored or
invalidated by the civil grand jury.
61 Civil grand jury procedure: elect 25 barons of the
kingdom. 4 of the 25 go talk to the king and his
people. If that doesn't work, the 4 go back to the 25
and the 25 will then correct the problem in any way
they see fit.
CONFIRMATIO CARTARUM
1297
1 The Magna Carta is the common law.
2 The Magna Carta is the supreme law. All other contrary
law and judgments are void.
5 Voluntary taxes cannot be made permanent.