Magna Carta (Penguin Classics)

For its 800th anniversary, a new edition of one of democracy’s founding legal documents, with extensive new commentaryWrested by rebellious barons from a very reluctant King John, Magna Carta set out a series of rights and duties that have been appealed to, ignored, suppressed, and argued about ever since. Here, David Carpenter’s forceful new translation is accompanied by extensive commentary that sheds new light on this illustrious legal document. Overview: "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land." ' David Carpenter deserves to replace Sir James Holt as the standard authority, and an unfailingly readable one too.' Ferdinand Mount, TLS ' An invaluable new commentary' Jill Leopore, New Yorker With a new commentary by David Carpenter "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land." Magna Carta, forced on King John in 1215 by rebellion, is one of the most famous documents in world history. It asserts a fundamental principle: that the ruler is subject to the law. Alongside a new text and translation of the Charter, David Carpenter's commentary draws on new discoveries to give an entirely fresh account of Magna Carta's text, origins, survival and enforcement, showing how it quickly gained a central place in English political life. It also uses Magna Carta as a lens through which to view thirteenth-century society, focusing on women and peasants as well as barons and knights. The book is a landmark in Magna Carta studies. 2015 is the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta' s creation - an event which will be marked with exhibitions, commemorations and debates in all the countries over whose constitutions and legal assumptions the shadow of Magna Carta hangs. Wrested By Rebellious Barons From A Very Reluctant King John, Magna Carta Set Out A Series Of Rights And Duties That Have Been Appealed To, Ignored, Suppressed, And Argued About Ever Since. Here, David Carpenter's Forceful New Translation Is Accompanied By Extensive Commentary That Sheds New Light On This Illustrious Legal Document.--publisher's Website. Magna Carta : The Documents -- The Chapters, Contents And Text Of Magna Carta -- King John And The Sources For His Reign -- Magna Carta And Society : Women, Peasants, Jews, The Towns And The Church -- Magna Carta And Society : Earls, Barons, Knights And Free Tenants -- Magna Carta And The Structure Of Royal Government -- The Rule Of The King : John And His Predecessors -- Standards Of Judgement -- Resistance, 1212-1215 -- The Development Of The Opposition Programme -- Runnymede -- The Enforcement And Failure Of The Charter -- The Revival Of The Charter, 1216-1225 -- Did Magna Carta Make A Difference? With A New Commentary By David Carpenter. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. For its 800th anniversary, a new edition of one of democracys founding legal documents, with extensive new commentary Wrested by rebellious barons from a very reluctant King John, Magna Carta set out a series of rights and duties that have been appealed to, ignored, suppressed, and argued about ever since. Here, David Carpenters forceful new translation is accompanied by extensive commentary that sheds new light on this illustrious legal document. The Magna Carta is probably the most famous declaration in western legal history. Wrested by rebellious barons from a very reluctant King John, it sets out a series of rights and duties which have been appealed to, ignored, suppressed and argued about ever since. Translated with a new commentary by David Carpenter, this volume is printed to mark the 800th anniversary of its creation