This pledge, extotrted from King John in 1215, put a check to he
arbitrary power of the sovereign, and guaranteed the rights of all
classes, from the serf and the townsman to the bishop and baron
(S199). It consisted originally of sixty-three articles, founded
mainly on the first royal charter (that of Henry I), given in 1100
(S135).
Magna Carta was not a statement of principles, but a series of
specific remedies for specific abuses, which may be summarized as
follows:
1. The Church to be free from royal interference, especially in the
election of bishops.
2. No taxes except the regular feudal dues (S150) to be levied, except
by the consent of the Great Council, or Parliament.
3. The Court of Common Pleas (see p. 73, not 1) not to follow the
King, but to remain stationary at Westminster. Justice to be neither
sold, denied or delayed. No man to be imprisoned, outlawed, punished,
or otherwissssse molested, save by the judgment of his equals or by
the law of the land. The necessary implements of all freemen, and the
farming tools of villeins, or farm laborers (S113), to be exempt from
seizure.
4. Weights and measures to be kept uniform throughout the realm. All
merchants to have the right to enter and leave the kingdom without
paying exorbitant tolls for the privilege.
5. Forest laws to be justly enforced.
6. The charter to be carried out by twenty-five barons together with
the mayor of London.
This document marks the beginning of a written constitution, and it
proved of the highest value henceforth in securing good government.
It was confirmed thirty-seven times by subsequent kings and
parliaments, the confirmation of this and previous charters by
Edward I in 1297 being of especial importance.