T H E T E ! T - B O O K
T H E C O N S T I T U I T O N .
M GN C R ’ ON OF R G A A HA TA , THE PETITI I HT S ,
A ND THE BILL OF RIGHT S .
S R L N S ND S N R S N WITH HI TO ICA COMME T , A REMARK O THE P E E T
POLITICAL EMERGENCIES .
E B Y E. S. C R A Y S M A . , . ,
B A B E I S I‘ ‘ E R -A P' L A W PR FE S S R O F HI ST R Y I N U N I V E R S I TY C LLE G E L N D N ; O O O O , O O ; ’ L A I' ‘ I F ELL W P N LLE E E O K I G S C G C A M B R ID G . O O ,
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M a na C harta th e Pe i ionof Ri h ts and th e Bil l o f Ri h s f orm th e cod e hi h I g , t t g , g t , w c call ” th e Bib l e of th e Enl i sh Co s i ution —L BD H THA g n t t . O C A M .
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B I A D B B Y A N D V A N PR I N T R S WHI TI PB IA B I . U E S . E , THE
- TE! T BOOK OF THE C ONSTITUTION.
H T R b e o of the e o of or a e W A E V E may th ught xecuti n this w k, I h v o of c re so f ar re ar little fear of the chief p orti n it being ensu d, as g ds the a e to arr e or and to ce e ore d esign . An tt mpt ange in a simpl f m, pla b f th u c ina f ew ea cce e a e the rea r c e of our e p bli , sily a ssibl p g s, g t p in ipl s
o o - to ro e r t to r e e r e e o C nstituti n, p ve th i antiqui y, illust at th i d v l pment, to o out e r r a e —W r m e e the and p int th i endu ing v lu , ill su ely, in ti s lik r e not b e co r e ea e the r e r of p es nt, dis u ag d as blam bl ; and, in st ange d a th re e re on - or o c r b e ally us ful t atises this all imp tant t pi , it will ha dly slighted as superfluous . I am aware that I assume a more questionable and difficult function rocee to co er ol ca e re o now b e e in p ding nsid what p iti l m asu s sh uld tak n, or er a our o onm a e e e ore a in d th t C nstituti y xt nd its b nefits m mply, and 3 more s ecurely f or the future - But this branch of the subj ect is m a e co ec the o er f or the m ear e o inti t ly nn ted with th ; , sa e n st and l ng continue d studies which teach the historical inquirer to b elieve in and e era e the re r c e of the o o o a v n t g at p in ipl s English C nstituti n, als displ y to the or of or l law of ro re a c o er of him w kings its n ma p g ss, its pl sti p w
e - am e ora o and e a o ro c a o e we m a hO e to s lf li ti n xp nsi n, th ugh whi h l n y p see e e c e of the re e of the co m e e not the xig n i s p s nt and ming ti suppli d, o t o a er b ut o a ec r to the m e nly wi h ut d ng , with additi n l s u ity funda ntal o of a e instituti ns g s past . It is in the fi rst place necessary to have a clear idea of what we mean h ” t e or o o al . For ere are f ew er our by w d C nstituti n , th t ms in language more laxly employed than this word and its converse in party o ca c p liti l dis ussion . And so very vague are the ideas which many e er of the o o e the O o of nt tain English C nstituti n , that wh n pp nent a p arti cul ar measure or a particul ar system of policy cries out that it is co o a e eral t un nstituti n l, it g n ly means little more than that he matter so e o ce om e c d n un d is s thing whi h the speaker dislikes . the er ce e of l and cc ra e e o o Still, t m is sus ptibl fu l a u t xplanati n, th ugh it may not b e easy to set it lucidl y forth without first investigating the arc aeo o of our or ra er ore ee m a a h l gy hist y, th m d ply than y suit h sty er er c a er re of talk s and sup fi i l think s, but with no greater expenditu time and labour than every mem ber of a great and free state ought a to e o or er a he m a r c re e and a re gl dly b st w, in d th t y ightly omp h nd pp c a e the o and the a in c and b c he e and i t p lity l ws whi h, y whi h liv s, o e and has his c m v s, ivic being . 2 WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION !
o e r o aco the c o e of the a ce r S m fu i us J bins, at l s l st ntu y, u sed to c am o r a ere was no c as the n o l u th t th su h thing E glish C nstitution, because it could not b e produced in full written form like that of the e a e or e o e c e e a Unit d St t s, lik th s with whi h Si y s cr mmed the pigeon o e of rea to the ar a e of the r h l s his bu u, suit v ying ph s s fi st years of the
- Fre c R o o . as the r e of o m n h ev luti n And, t ad C nstitution ongering is ai r on the o e er a om e who see a ag n th iving C ntin nt, p h ps s th t other nations are providing themselves with ful l written formulas of s ocial and o ca r roce e all the ara er a of ar c p liti l ights and p ss s, in p ph nali ti le, ec o e and ro o e n a co s ti n, supplem nt p vis , whil E gl nd is ntent with her old a e - oo and old ra o a o er m e a - m a n st tut b k, t diti n l g v n nt and l ws y thi k ” that the term English C onstitution means n othing b eyond the no m eaning of designating the actual state of things in the country at the ar c ar o e e the ra e e ic of co r p ti ul m m nt wh n ph s is us d, and wh h, u se, is
“ a e to ar the ar o r li bl v y with v ying h u . or er to ee e e c ere no occa o to re or t In d m t th s avils, th is si n s t o the ra e o m a of r e a our a ce or the Re o o of 16 st ng d g Bu k , th t n st s, at v luti n 88, o n and had a r to o e e e and e r o e b u d, ight bind, b th th ms lv s th i p st rity to p erp etual adherence to the exact order of things thencstab lished ; nor need we rely solely onthe eulogie s which foreign as well as native r er a r ear a o e to e o our em of o r w it s, hund ed y s g , us d h ap up n syst g ve n a e r c w e e not er t e . o e e er ra e or e o a re m nt Th s p n gy i s, h th xagg t d , w g at e e or e re o and com ar o c are now o xt nt supp t d by as nings p is ns, whi h wh lly a o ro n a c . o ca cree o e an in ppli ble But, with ut p pping his p liti l d th m, im p artial and honest investigator may still rem ain convinced that a a o o a ere a e c e she Engl nd has C nstituti n, and th t th is mpl aus why a he re ni o c er . e co and sh uld h ish it And by this it is m nt, that will g se a m re the or the a and the n o of a cer a d i , in hist y, l ws, i stituti ns Engl nd, t in r a ea r c e and a e a o ca r e c g e t l ding p in ipl s, fund m nt l p liti l ul s, whi h have existed from the earliest p eriods of our nationality down to the present tim e ; expanding and adapting themselves to the p rogress of socie ty and c a o a a c r n e e o e e a ivilis ti n, dv n ing and va ying i d v l pm nt, but still ess nti lly a ce and r the sam e in subst n in spi it . Th ese great primeval and enduring p rinciples are the principles of we are not o e to ear e the English Constitution . And blig d l n th m from conflicting sp eculations or supp ositions ; f or they are imperishably he Grea ar er and the ar er a e con recorded in t t Ch t , in Ch t s and St tut s m a r of a r c the nected with and confir to y M gna Cha ta , with whi h
e of the a of the a c o co ce . volum l ws l nd auspi i usly mmen s In Magna , a to sa o e r e r e a ree Ch rta itself, that is y, in a s l mn inst ument d libe at ly g d the re e the re aro the e r the on by king, the p lat s, g at b ns, g nt y, r er the eo a r and all the r e e of the real e oc bu gh s, y m n y, f e m n m, at an p h to o er the co m e ce e of our a o a which we have a right c nsid m n m nt n ti n lity, an race e e re r c e o the er o e ore we c t all th s g at p in ipl s, s me in g m, s m m the e e e Con/rmatio Chartarum c ll re e le . I l fi , fu y v a d n statut ntit d whi h a e e to rea or a we di cer e is to b e read as suppl m nt its g t igin l, s n thes h di o . t e er principles m anife sted with ad ti nal clearness And thus, at v y r of the r sent o we b ehol dawn of the histo y p e English nati n, o a o er a d foundations of our great p litic l instituti ns imp ish bly lai , and m th eir e ssential forms proclai ed . PRIMARY PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION .
These great primeval and enduring principles of our Constitution are as follows G h o r an ere r o ere r n The overnment of t e C unt y by h dita y s v ign, uli g i e o er and o to o and co a ar a e with l mit d p w s, b und summ n nsult P li m nt of ere r eer and of e ec ve re re e a e of the o o . h dita y P s, l ti p s nt tiv s C mm ns ’ h u ec o e a not b e e the o re nl e That t e S bj ts m n y sh ll tak n by S ve ign, u ss ’
the u ec co e e re e b his re re e a e r am e . with S bj ts ns nt, xp ss d y p s nt tiv s in Pa li nt a no m anb e r r ri e or r o e or an wa Th t a bit a ly fin d imp is n d, in y y
u e e ce a er r a . p nish d, x pt ft a lawful t i l
Trial by Jury .
That justice shall not b e sold or delayed . e e rea c o a r c e can ro e e er Th s g t onstituti n l p in ipl s all be p v d, ith by e re er or a r m ca o ro M a ar a and xp ss t ms, by f i i pli ti n , f m agn Ch t , its
- m above mentioned Supple ent . Their vigorous developm ent was aided and attested in many sub se e a u e e ec e o of R the of qu nt st t t s, sp ially in the P titi n ight and Bill R e c of a o at o em cr ights in a h which the English n ti n, a s l n isis, o em ec ar r h o e ow e e o a o s l nly d l ed its ig ts, and s l mnly ackn l dg d its blig ti ns
' — two e ac m e c er e to b e c ed not as or i ar a n t nts whi h des v it , d n y l ws , but co o a co c and to b e c a e c Gr as nstituti n l mpa ts, l ss d as su h with the eat r r e re h onfirm e s an th e e of ic a t e c r d e o e . Cha t , wh h th y xp n nts Lord Chatham called these three statutes The Bible of the English ” o t o to ic a ea to b e m a e on e er ra e o ca C ns ituti n, wh h pp l is d v y g v p liti l ’ a d v ce e er e e o The rea a e o . qu sti n . g t st t sm n s a i is still s und It d s v s to b e considered by subj ects as well as by princes by p opular leaders
o the of ar a e er i em . with ut walls P li ment, as w ll as by Minist s with n th
the re e r o of e era co m o o e ar c a e in. In p s nt pe i d g n l m ti n, wh n st tling h ng s our em of o er m e are a oca e ore ar e syst g v n nt dv t d by still m st tling m ans, while at the same tim e there is a general feeling of the necessity f or some c e eff c e of our o o e er e hange b ing e ted, thes texts C nstituti n d s v ec ar or er we e r ro e F r p uli study, in d that may l a n f m th m, i st, What our o o and e er er e to b e e r e e C nstituti n is, wh th it des v s a n stly uph ld by ' as a a o a e or o to b e oo e n a us n ti n l bl ssing, ught l k d o s an eflete nc ra ce o e e a we o r e to acc era e i umb n , wh s uth nasia sh uld st iv el t ; and eco ha e we e co c o r e e of r we S ndly, T t wh n hav nvin ed u s lv s its me it, may b e able to test prop o sed measures by their conform ity with or hostility to r c e its p in ipl s . rem r a e howf ew e e of c e e o e or e It is a k bl v n edu at d Englishm n p ss ss, hav e er r e e e re re a e . M a n r ar cul r on v ad th s th e g at st tut s g a Cha ta, in p ti a , is ’ ’ e er o o o a o e e al a e v yb dy s lips, but in n b dy s h nds ; and, th ugh p rp tu ly t lk d of e era a e of er or ce of co o a e , is g n lly t lk d in utt ign an its ntents, bey nd vagu m re o ro ar r r m r o e and o r of i p ssi n that it p hibits bit a y i p is nm nt, is in fav u r al h T i by Jury . If t e publication of this little Treatise tend to fami liarise an of e o - co u r e r e and r y my f ll w nt ym n with its t u letter spi it, I shall assuredly not think that my labour in compiling and in com m entin has ee ro a a g b n th wn w y . A remark has been made in the preceding page resp ecting the e oc of Gr ar er the correc f c e er re d er m a p h the eat Ch t , tness o whi h v y a y not m e - e e ic or ad it as s lf vid nt, but wh h is of vital imp tance in esti mating the full nature and value of that great corner- stone of our B 2 4 TIT TI A WIT ATI A IT OUR CONS U ON COEV L H OUR N ON L Y.
e Constitution . It has b en said that Magna C harta is coeval with the co m e cem e of our r e a o a o er or a we m n nt t u n ti n lity in th w ds, th t have ‘ had our re e o o re re e e inM a na ar ro p s nt C nstituti n, as p s nt d g Ch ta, th ugh u he o e r our r e a al o t t wh l p e io d of t u n tion history . This is be st e e at the o e o r of e o c to o xplain d uts t, th ugh at the isk n un ing what s me b hi m ay e storical truisms . O ur English nation is the combined product of several great elements of o f e e ere a e ee — p pulation . O th s th h v b n four p rincipal ones the
a o the r 5 . c. the Ro e e c ani and the S x n, B itish ( manis d C lti ), the D sh,
Nor a . The a o e o e r as e o e th m n S x n is m nti n d fi st, b ing und ubt dly e o m or and as co the c e o a w c the m st i p tant, nstituting hi f f unt in ith whi h o er o rce a e m e or at a e r co e e c o th s u s h v ingl d, f ming l st in th i mpl t jun ti n the eo e c h as ce ee and c as now English p pl su h as it sin b n, su h it is . eac of the o r e em e has ar e o e the re and eac But h f u l nts l g ly m difi d st, h has exercised im p ortant influence indetermining our national character and u To a e the a of e o of a e o r national career. t k l st th m in p int d t the o a of the c or o Norm a a to by influx int this isl nd vi t i us ns, (th t is sa of ca di a a or who had f or 15 0 recedi ear y, S n n vi ns by igin, p ng y s e e e Fra ce the or er Go er m e a was o er be n s ttl d in n ,) f m v n nt in this isl nd v thrown new divisions of rank and class were intro duced new tribun als and new laws regulated prop erty and person ; alm ost the o e of a arce e out to new to o onnew er wh l Engl nd was p ll d men h ld t ms, and a martial nobility of the bravest and m o st energetic race that ever * was f ar and a e as o a c a the a . existed, wide pl nt d a d min nt l ss in l nd oreo er a o the co o er of the Nor a a e the M v , lth ugh ming v m ns m d up rea e e m e of our o ul a o ear e a e ore last g t l nt p p ti n , many y s l ps d bef it coa e c the re . For ar of c r er the o e l s ed with st upw ds a entu y aft C nqu st,
o his e e o um e ke c e the Norm a c arac er and ear Gibb n in s v nth v l , s t h s n h t ly con ue u ual o He ra e t e c om q sts with his s p wer and sple ndour. tifi s h parison be twe e n the Norm ans and Saxons drawn by William of Malm sbury and finall y pronoun ce s ” a a was a ure l a a er the o ue S m o d a o His th t Engl nd ss d y g in by C nq st . is n i, ls , ” o re d e ra a v ol has r a and o er ul or ra e the t i F nc is, . iii . , p . b illi ntly p w f ly p t y d u er or of the orm a to the e e era e re c o e e and the cru e and s p i ity N ns d g n t F n h n bl ss , sh d ser e om a e ue ro c a rom om e re te the r c the or vil R n sq p vin i ls, f wh th y w s d dist i t in n th o f au c n m e re e rem e t e ar the am e of Norm a . was ot G l, whi h s ill b s n ndy It ly by xt a our and rea u or a o to m l ar c e a the Norm a ere re v l dy s b din ti n i it y dis iplin , th t ns w p e m e am all the u r ac f he o c oc b ut al o b aninstin in nt ong conq e ing r e s o t G thi st k , s y c tive faculty of appre ciating and adopting the superior civilisations which they e cou e re u Du e ol o and o o er re a em race the cre e n nt d . Th s k R l his f ll w s dily b d d, the a ua e the a and the ar c ra ce o e rou e and e m e l ng g , l ws, ts whi h F n , in th s t bl d vil ti s c the a e a a comm e ce er e rom m er a om e with whi h C p ti n dyn sty n d , still inh it d f I p i l R n m er a a e n l e u a e l es e la u r i a a d r m a e . ado tére t s o r o o I p i l Ch l gn Ils p s g s, d v i s, s b d n ti n ’ ue l e s ca u aire d e s e m ereur et l e s ro av oient ué a cc u il s a q pit l s p s is instit s. M is q p ’ ’ ’ ’ orterent a s l a licationd e ce s o cc f ut l e s rit dd vie l e s rit d e er e p d n pp l is, p , p lib t , ’ ’ ’ l hab itude d e la u ord a o m a re e t l intelli ence d un e a o ue ui s b in ti n ilit i , g t t p litiq q ’ ” c onciliat l a sure té d u a e c l inde ende nc de c acu So a o all c a r c e to s v p e h n . ls in hiv l i f e elins ine u a c re i ou zea a m o o a rou re e c to e m a e of g , nth si sti l gi s l, in l st id l t s sp t f l s if e e r e erou o e f or the a ce oe r of the m e a e e in g ntl bi th, in g n s f ndn ss n s nt p t y ti , in k n te ll e ctual re f or u e ou and u a o a a e f or arc ec ura lish s btl th ght disp t ti n, in t st hit t l m a ce ce and all c our re em e and a ea r the N orm a ere the gnifi n , tly fin nt p g nt y, ns w P f h r e r r a ua e ere u e m a ar e r aladins o t e wo ld . Th i b illi nt q liti s w s lli d with ny d k ra of r e of m erc e crue and of ru a co e m f or the u r the t its p id , il ss lty, b t l nt pt ind st y, n n r and the ee of all om e co ere the o er c a e of m a . ights, f lings wh th y nsid d l w l ss s ki d ’ S to the orm a e e m e our a o a m uc of a rea e till it is N n l nt in n ti n , th t h Engl nd s g tn ss an or due I b e e e a m o of the re e u o c we u t dgl y is . And li v th t st f instit ti ns whi h j s ly 5 COMMENCEMENT OF OUR NATI ONALITY .
A nglo- Norman and Anglo - Saxon kept aloof from each other ; the one
a corn the o er e a orre c . e ere two in h ughty s , th in sull n bh n e Th y w not the r ee eo e o the am e a . p pl s, th ugh living in s l nd It is until thi t nth ce r the er o of the re of o and sonand ra o ntu y, p i d igns J hn his g nds n, that we canperceive the existence of any feeling of common nationality h i the r f e e re n we rea of i t em . o o m But in study ng hist y th s ig s, d sgd di onno o r Th a o n a ar c h e . e o ore e t e. ss nsi s l nge S x n m pp s in ivil war the Nor a the Nor a no o er cor the a a e of against m n, m n l ng s ns l ngu g the a on or re u e to e r o e er the am e of S x , f s s b a t g th with him n English m an N o r of th co m hi e e ore er to . pa t e m unity t nk th ms lves f ign s n n a o r ar . e ee a e are o e eo e a d e n the p t Th y f l th t th y all p pl , th y have learned to unite their eff orts f or the comm on purp ose of protecting the f al Th or e o of th c rights and p romoting the welfare o l . e f tunat l ss e Du hy ’ r new ee of Norm a o re ea ro o e e e . ndy in J hn s ign, g tly p m t d th s f lings ’ m ne a a e had e ce or our aro o o e r a . O Th n f th b ns nly h s we e in Engl nd l ngu g , t f th a and a al o t e re of e r . e o e he a e o e in h ign H n y III , b c m langu g l nd, th t, s , * had e m e the or c we t o e it. O ne th n assu d f m in whi h s ill p ss ss law, in the e e of hic all r em e are e a o di c o of r ce y w h f e n qu l with ut stin ti n a , o e e and e e orce co e to or the was m d ll d, st adily nf d, and still ntinu s f m groundwork of our judicial sy stem sf With this p eriod our true nati onal ity commences ; f or our history ro i e or hi or of a a o a e e co e e and f m th s tim f th is the st y n ti n l lif , th n mpl t
ill e . e ore er o a m ere hi or of e e e st in b ing All b f this p i d is st y l m nts, he r a f s and of the proce sse s of their fusion . T fi st gre t event o thi er o the r ef or of a e e r was the o p i d, fi st f t this aw k n d English spi it, btaining
‘ a a ar a b all an o all th f Th e of M gn Ch t y d f r e freemen o the land . constitutional principles prom ulgate d therein were at once the first fruits and the guarantees of our nationality ; and we are enabled to app eal to them as emb odying the terms of an original contract b etween
’ c er are u e as m uc due to the orm a as the a e eu - étre h ish, q it h N ns to S xons . C st p t ’ ' a l a C on uéte de s Norm a ue l A nl eterre 5 du se s er e i s the e re o q nds q g lib t s, xp ssi n ’ ” of u zo a sur l Histoire de i ra ce v . a wh a rem . o G i t Ess is F n , Ess i, Ch p . p ) And e ve r will peruse the adm irable analysis of the origin of our Re pre se ntative system s c a rea i oria roduce ear the c o e of the re a e re erre to and whi h th t g t h st n int s n l s T tis f d , ’ i a o u a ra e or of the om m o ea the Norm a w ll ls st dy in P lg v s Hist y English C nw lth , n or of our r a ur e e e ou of the m r a igin T i l by J y, will f l littl d bt i po t n ce and the ultim ate b lessing of the Norm an Conquest ; fearful as were the suff erings which it caused to om e e e ra o s g n ti ns .
a e e on o c at rea e r e on accou of I h v dw lt this t pi g t l ngth, nt the ab surd and a ac ou o e h f ll i s t n in whic h t e Norman Co nquest is spoken of in som e standard works o n our h or and a rom c m b e u ist y l ws, f whi h it ight s ppo se d that the Battle of a led to t e m r H stings lit l o e than the substitution of one Royal fam ily f or another onthe ro e of cou r and to the ar and th n this nt y, g bling changing of some of our ” a rou the cu i of the Norma a e l ws th gh nn ng n l wy rs . The e ar e e a ec m e of the an ua e as - i li st xt nt sp i n English l g g , contra d stinguishe d rom the Sa o and the e m - Sa on the ro c am a o of e r f x n s i x , is p l ti n H n y III . to the pe ople )f H l in ” ( l t DShire A . . 125 8 . Se e a am onth n ’ e i a ua e . 7 7 D L th Engl sh L ng g , p , 2nd Ed O ur om mo Law its ecu iar ea ure of ead & c a um e i C n , with p l f t s Pl ing, . , ss d ts re e ’ orm the r e e ce tur . See Bractons re a e r e p s nt f in thi t nth n y T tis , w itt n in He nry III ’ . s re . Dur the am e er o a o r a ur cr mina ign ing s p i d , ls , T i l by J y in i l charge s was e era ro uce Som e re m ar on e u g n lly int d d . ks this will b intro d ce d inanafte r part of rea e comm e n onthe ro o of a a ar a this t tis , in nti g p visi ns M gn Ch t . A NA A TA H A N D M G CH R ; O W G I E .
eo e era r and not the rea and al King and P pl in lit l t uth, in un l f lacious e c a e re o ee m isus d s nse in whi h th t xp ssi n has frequently b n e .
' The ar er c our a e - oo co e ce and Ch t with whi h St tut b k mm n s, with ' which alone the greater p art even of profe ssional students ar not the or al Grea r er of o a co of as is igin t Cha t J hn, but is py it, con rm e e r h e era m or a odi ca o and fi d by H n y III . , wit s v l i p t nt m fi ti ns
om o . o ar er m a b e ee at en the or a issi ns B th Ch t s y s n l gth in igin l, in ’ Blackston e s adm irable tract onthe Great Charter a work f ar sup erior to any of his others in industrious research and sound critical judgment ; and in which all the preliminary documents and corrob orative instru co ec e M a ar o to a and eace ments nn t d with gna Ch ta, d wn its fin l p ful h h f a m e t e 28 t ear o r I . are c ro o o c establish nt, in y Edwa d , h n l gi lly ‘ arra ed and c m aredfithe o o a e er o ng o p In f ll wing p g s an English v si n wil b e e of the o e of the Grea ar er e as co cede l giv n wh l t Ch t its lf, n d by ” o to the o of G od and the o rc as the o the J hn h st H ly Chu h, n bility, e r the eo a r the ree r er of n a er e e g nt y, y m n y, and f bu gh s E gl nd t m d th m e e e e rc e a a the ra and ore m erce s lv s, wh n th y ma h d g inst ty nt his f ign ar to R e e and a the o a o of the u re er e of n ies unnym d , l id f und ti n f tu lib ti s e r o he a r a r co r 6 3 2 ear a o . e e t o o th i unt y, y s g I will th n qu t m te i l p visi ns of the Con rm atio Chartarum and rocee to o out how the rea fi , p d p int g t co o a r c e c e e ore e m era e are all e o e nstituti n l p in ipl s whi h I hav b f nu t d, mb di d ’ in these prim ary manifestations of our nation s will . m a o e er b e e u to rem o e rea er e ore e ro It y, h w v , us f l ind s m d s, b f th y p oe to the r of the Gre ar er a e a cd pe usal at Ch t , th t th y will find in it m ny provisions that have lost their practical imp ortance with the decay of
the e a em the r of c r e e to a e . f ud l syst , ty anny whi h they we e d sign d mitig t But their value was inestimable at the tim e ; and a right understanding
of the o re e e of e a n r the o- Nor a pp ssiv n ss f ud lism u de Angl m n kings, is e e a not o f or the r o e of the i or of the e ss nti l nly pu p s studying h st y tim , but f or the correct discernment and appreciation of the origin and nature he a e of m a of our m o e r o . er t e ny st ndu ing instituti ns Und f ud l syst m, as the Norm an Conqueror e stablished it in this island in anintensity ra e e on the o e the as or ra o of unpa ll l d C ntin nt, king, l d pa m unt his aro and of all who e e r a s ar e re exacte of b ns, h ld th i l nd by milit y t nu , d e ar er ce or a ec ar a m e e ereo ca e th m milit y s vi , p uni y p y nt in li u th f, ll d escua e or scuta e e e er he ou and f or c the co an g g , wh n v th ght fit, whi h nst t c wars and trouble s of the time s always furnished a ready ex use . O ther a f m o e e er the e of a ids ere co ua ex ctions o n y paym nts, und titl , w ntin lly Th e r on cceedi to e a e was ca e onf or a em a . e d nded h i , su ng his st t , ll d ” e er the e of re e . he a or the or oo paym nt, und titl li f If was min , l d t k a ossessionof a as ar a and e or a e he ea e p his l nd gu di n, us d it bus d it as pl s d
th e r a a e hi s m a or . The or a o c a e the r of till e h i tt in d j ity l d , ls , l im d ight tendering his ward a husband or wif e ; and if the ward declin ed to m arr the er o so e ec e the r or e e to the or c a y p s n s l t d, wa d f f it d l d su h sum he al a c was co ere or The er i e of e e of money as t li n e nsid d w th . ex c s th s c a m and ar o o er of a ar o re e c ar er l i s, v i us th s simil ly pp ssiv h act , was
’ f n co e ue ce i he d oeuvre of B ac o e is a The only defe ct o a y ns q n in th s c f l kst n , th t he doe s not rej e ct with sufficie nt de cision the myth of the Great Charter having be e n u arter of e r copie d from a lost and fo nd Ch H n y I . T AT A T J HE GRE CH R ER OF OHN . 7 regulated by the mere balance of strength between the king and his as a w r . a o er of er or ran ho e e v s ls The l ndh ld s inf i k, h ld th i lands by g h oca e e re as was r e i . a. t e m o er ree o e re ere s t nu , it te m d, , d n f h ld t nu , w e ec to e e e ac o o f ar rom e n ec re rom o e of l ss subj t th s x ti ns, th ugh f b i g s u f s m w an e . o of the rea o d c e e o e to the th m M st g t t ns iti s b l ng d king, as eu or wh o e e um of m o e on em ca e tallia es at f dal l d, l vi d s s n y th , ll d g , his n easure . a o e er of the oro had a rea ur pl M ny, h w v , E glish b ughs l dy p c ase c ar er and er e ro the ro and had re a e om h d h t s lib ti s f m C wn, g in d s e of eir c a r of oca e - o er m e a th muni ip l ights l l s lf g v n nt . All these cl sse s had r e a ce to re re and the Grea ar er co a re e a g i v n s d ss, t Ch t nt ins m di l m e ure ca e to em all . Th e m ore m or a of e e a as s appli bl th i p t nt th s , th t is to sa o e ic e e re re n an mm e a e ro co y, th s wh h, b sid s d ssi g i di t w ng, ntain the er of a er a e r b e i e the o g m p m n nt ight, will d stinguish d in f llowing r n G e ar er a ff re e t a slation of the r at Ch t by di e nc in typ e . And the ’ reader s attention will b e sim ilarly directe d to those clause s which at once la ow roa e r r c e of ree o er e the O er o y d n b d ndu ing p in ipl s f g v nm nt , p ati n of c e er e or whi h is g n al as humanity its lf, and is unlimited by time place .
magma cabana.
O H b the race of G od K of a or of re a Duke of Norm a J N, y g ing Engl nd, L d I l nd, ndy, ui a e and ou of ou to the rc o Bi o b o ar Aq t in , C nt Anj , A hbish ps, sh ps, A b ts, E ls, Baro usticiaries of the ore t S er ff o er or f cer and to all ns, J F s s, h i s, G v n s, O fi s,
'
Bailifls and ot er e e ree . K o e a we the re e ce of , h s his li g s, g ting n w y , th t , in p s n G od and f or the a a o of our oul and the ou of all our ro e or and , s lv ti n s , s ls p g nit s ucce or and u o the o our of G od and the a a cem e of o urc s ss s, nt h n dv n nt H ly Ch h, and am e m e o f our B ea a v ce of our e era e a er STEPHE nd nt hn, by d i v n bl F th , N,
rc o of a e r ur r m a e of all a and ar i a of the o A hbish p C nt b y, P i t Engl nd C d n l H ly om a urc E RY rc i o of D u ILLIA M of o o ETER of R n Ch h, H N , A hb sh p blin, W L nd n, P
Winchester J O CELIN of Ba and a o ur U GH of co A LTER of ,, th Gl st nb y, H Lin ln, W orce er ILLI A M of o e r BE E I C T of oc e er B s o and a er W st , W C v nt y, N D R h st , i h ps, M st
PA ND U LPH Sub - D e aco and amil ar of our or the o e Bro er A Y M ER IC , n F i L d P p , th , a er of the e m e a and the N o e er o I LLI A M M A R IS A M st T pl in Engl nd, bl P s ns, W C LL, ar of e m r e A o , I LLI M ar of Sa ur I LLIA M ar of arre E l P b k W , E l lisb y, W , E l W n, ILLI A M ar of ru e LA E A LLOW A Y o a e of S co a A RI W , E l A nd l, A N D G , C nst bl tl nd, W N
FITz ERA L ETER F ITz ERB ERT and U BERT E B U RGH Se e c al G D, P H , H D , n s h of Po ou U GH E NEVI LLE A TTHEW FITz ERB ERT H O MA S B A SSET LA it , H D , M H , T , A N
B A SSET H I LIP A LBINEY O B ERT E B O PPELL OH A RSH A LL OH F IT , P , R D , J N M , J N z
U GH and o er our e em e a e the r ace ra e to G od and H , th s li g n, h v , in fi st pl , g nt d , by our re e arter co rm e f or us and our e r f or e this p s nt Ch nfi d, h i s e v r
1 he . a t ur c of a a b e ree and e o her r e re and her Th t Ch h Engl nd sh ll f , nj y ight nti , i e r e o a e and we wl a e e m so o er e a m a a e ar rom e c l b ti s invi l bl i l h v th bs v d, th t it y pp f h n e a the re e om of ele ctions which was re c o e c and th t f d , k n d hie f indispe nsable to the English urc and c we ra e and co rm e our ar er and he confir Ch h, whi h g nt d nfi d by Ch t , obtaine d t m a o of rom o e oce . e ore the cor e e e us and our aro was ti n , f P p Inn nt III b f dis d b tw n b ns, ra te of m ere re e i c ar er we a o er e and we d o to b e a n d f w ll, whi h Ch t sh ll bs v , will it f ith gu o e r e our e r f or e er lly bs v d by h i s v . 2. We also have grante d to all the free m e n of our k om f or us and f or our e r f or e er all the u er r e i er ie to b e had and ingd , h i s v , nd w itt n l b t s, o e em and e r e r of us and our e r f or e er an of our e arl or h ld n by th th i h i s, h i s v If y s, aro s or o e r who o of us c e m ar er ce a die and at the b n , th s, h ld in hi f b ilit y s vi , sh ll , m e of ea e r a b e of 1 a e n o e a re e he a a e ti his d th his h i sh ll f g , a d w s li f, sh ll h v AT A J THE GRE CH RTER OF OHN . his er a ce the a c e re e a to sa the e r or e rs of ane ar f or inh it n by n i nt li f th t is y, h i h i l, a o e ar om a u re ou s the e r or e r of a aro f or a o e wh l e ld , by h nd d p nd h i h i s b n, wh l ’ aro a u re ou the e r or e r of a f or a o e i b ny, by h nd d p nds h i h i s knight, wh l kn ght s f e e a u re li at m o and oe er o e e a l e e , by h nd d shil ngs st wh v w th l ss sh l giv l ss, o to the a c e cu om of e n u c u acc r e 3 . But if he e r of a a b e ding n i nt st f s . t h i y s h sh ll nder a e and a b e ar e he com e o a e he a a e i er a ce g , sh ll in w d wh n s f g , sh ll h v his nh it n ’ u re e and u fin o o e . The ee eir with t li f with t . 4 k per of the land of su ch anh b eing u e r a e al not a e of th e a of the e r b ut rea o a e u e re a o a e nd g , sh l t k l nd h i s n bl iss s, s n bl cu om and rea o a e er ce and a wi ou e ruc o and a e of m en st s, s n bl s vi s, th t th t d st ti n w st his and his oo s and we com mi the cu o of an uc a to the er ff or an g d if t st dy y s h l nds sh i , y o er who a era e to us f or the ue of the a and he a m a e e ruo th is nsw bl iss s l nd, sh ll k d st o and a e of the a c he a incu o we a e of him am e ti n w st l nds whi h h th st dy, will t k nds, and the a a b e com m e to two a u and cree m e n f a f e e who l nd sh ll itt d l wf l dis t o th t , s a a e r f or the s ue to us or to him to om we a a em and if h ll nsw is s , wh sh ll ssign th we e or e to an one the cu o of an uc a and he ere m a e e ruo s ll giv y st dy y s h l nds, th in k d st o or a e he a o e the am e cu o c shall b e com m e to two a u ti n w st , sh ll l s s st dy, whi h itt d l wf l nd re e m nof a f e e who a e m a er a u a a ore a a e er to s s . disc t th t , sh ll in lik nn nsw f s id
5 . But the e e er so o as he shall a e the cu o of he a al ee u k p , l ng h v st dy t l nd, sh l k p p the ou e ar arre o m and o er er a to the a h s s, p ks, w ns, p nds, ills, th things p t ining l nd, out of the ue of the am e a and all e er to the e r e he com e of iss s s l nd sh d liv h i , wh n s u a e o e a oc e ou and carr a e accor as the m e f ll g , his wh l l nd, st k d with pl ghs i g s, ding ti o f a a e a re e nd the u e of the a canre a a e ar 6 . e r u r a o . w in g sh ll q i , iss s l nd s n bly b H i s a b e m arr e ou ara em e and so a e ore m a r m o a b e c on sh ll i d with t disp g nt, th t b f t i ny sh ll racte o e wh in l d t he e r a a e o ce . o o are ear b oo o t . 7 t d, th s n , h i sh ll h v n ti A wid w, a e r the e a of her u a a or and ou dif cu a e he r ft d th h sb nd, sh ll f thwith with t fi lty h v m arr a e and er a ce nor a she e a f or h er o er or her m ar i g inh it n sh ll giv nything d w , ria e or her er a ce c her u a and she e at he da of e a g , inh it n , whi h h sb nd h ld t y his d th and she m a rem a inthe m a o ou e of he r u a or a a er ea y in nsi n h s h sb nd f ty d ys ft his d th ,
c erm her o er a b e a e 8 . N o o a b e ra e within whi h t d w sh ll ssign d . wid w sh ll dist in d to m arr er e so o as she has a m to e ou a u a b u t e t y h s lf, l ng ind liv with t h sb nd y she a e e cur a she not m arr ou our a e she o o f sh ll giv s ity th t will y with t ss nt, if h ld * us or W ou the co e of the or of om she o she o of a o er ith t ns nt l d wh h lds, if h ld n th . e er e nor ai z n f n e o o a the 9 . N ith w our b liffs shall se i e a y land or re nt or a y d bt s l ng s chatte ls of the debtor are suff icient to pay th e debt nor shall the sure ties of the de btor b e distraine d so long as the principal de btor is sufficient f or the paym e nt of the de bt ; and the r c a e or a a the a m e of the e no t a e re a if p in ip l d bt sh ll f il in p y nt d bt, h ving wh with l to a e th e ure e a a er the e and e w e a a e the p y it, th n s ti s sh ll nsw d bt if th y ill th y sh ll h v a and re of the e or u e a b e a e f or the e c e a l nds nts d bt , ntil th y sh ll s tisfi d d bt whi h th y p id f or him u e the r c a e or can o m e ac u e ere o a a the a , nl ss p in ip l d bt sh w hi s lf q itt d th f g inst s id sure e 10 an one a e orro e a of the e m ore or e and ti s . . If y h v b w d nything J ws, l ss, die e ore the e b e a e d e re a b e no ere a f or a e so o b f d bt s tisfi , th sh ll int st p id th t d bt, l ng s the eir u er a e of om oe er he m a o and the e al s o our a h is nd g , wh s v y h ld if d bt f l int 11 an one a we o a e th e c a e m e o e the e e . . h nds, will nly t k h tt l nti n d in d d And if y a die e e to the e e a a e her o er and a o of sh ll ind bt d J ws, his wif sh ll h v d w p y n thing a e and the e cea e e c re u e r a e e all a e e ce ar e th t d bt if d s d l ft hild n nd g , th y sh h v n ss i s f r r to the e em e of the e cea e and out of the provide d o them , acco ding t n nt d s d e ue the e a b a a o e er the er ce due to the or and r sid d bt sh ll e p id, s ving h w v s vi l ds u e due o er a the e in like m anner shall it b e done to ching d bts to th s th n J ws . 12 s ut r im in ur kindom unless b the eneral council . N o c ag e o aid shall be p osed o g , y g o our kindom exe t or ransommt oa r ersonm akin our eldest so a kni ht and f g mp f g p , g n g , once f or ma rrying o'wr eld est daughter ; and f or these there shall be p ai d a reasona ble n t i ni he o t it o L 13 . A d he Inlik manner i h r n t aids he ondon. a d . e t s a ll be conce g f C y f i o L ondon hall l n nt liberties and r e u toms as well b land as C ty f s have a l its a cie f e c s , y m wa r wrth r rant that ll th r s b u hs and towns y te : f ermo e we will and g , a o e citie and oro g , and r r nd or holdin the o ts s all ha v r li ties and ee ust 14 . A p , h e a ll thei ber f c oms . f g exce t in the g eneral scimcil of the king dom concerning the assessment of aids, p
B the old law rou e onthe e u a e ac o a om a cou not b e e o e y , g nd d f d l x ti ns, w n ld nd w d ou a e a to the or e er cou she m arr a a ou ce ce with t fin p id l d, n ith ld y g in with t his li n , ’ e she ou co rac er e and so co e ar of the eu to the or e em . l st sh ld nt t h s lf, nv y p t f d l d s n y i ce ce the or o o care to b e e l a f or and as see m ou om e Th s li n l ds t k w l p id , , it s , w ld s — m e fie 2Bl om . 13 5 . e orce the m arr a ai th n C ti s f dowager to a second i ge in order to g n . 9 THE GREAT CHARTER OF JOHN .
three cases a oresaid and or the assessin o scuta es we sha ll cause to be summ one d f , f g f g , , the ar chbishO s bisho s abbots r and r ater r o the realm sinl p , p , , ca ts, g e ba ons f , g y b our lett r nd u r enrall ou r y e s. A f thermore we shall cau se to be sum moned g e y by sher s a/nd baili s a ll others who hold o us in chie or a ertaind a tha t is to fi, , c y, l ifl f f f sa ort d a ore their meetin at least and to a d inal l letters y, f y ys bef g , certa inp lace an o suc sum we will d ecla re th cause o such summ o A nd summons ein thus f h mons e f ns . b g made the business o the da s a ll roceed onthe da a ointed n to th a d vic , f y h p y pp , accordi g e e o such as shall be resent al thou h all th t were summ d n 15 W e not a ne come ot. . f p , g o will f or the u ure ra to an one a he m a a e aid of own re e e a u e f t g nt y , th t y t k his f t n nts ; nl ss to ra om his o and to m a e his e e sona k and o ce to marr his ns b dy, k ld st night, n y e e au r and f or e e re a b e o a a re a o a e aid. 16 N o ld st d ght ; this th sh ll nly p id s n bl . ’ m an a be i ra e to er orm m ore er ce f or a f e e or o er re e sh ll d st in d p f s vi knight s , th f e em e a due m m m e a nt o our ro e ce . 17 . o o a o o cour t n nt, th n is f th n C n pl s sh ll f ll w t, * b ut a b e o e om e ce r ai 18 . ze of o e and f ace . e o sh ll h ld n in s pl t n Assi s n v l diss isin, ’ m or d ances tor and of arre re e m e al not b e a e b ut in- eir ro er t , d in p s nt nt, sh l t k n th p p cou e and a e r m a er W e or we s oul b e out of the real m our c e nti s, ft this nn , if h d , hi f u c ar a e two u c ar e rou e e r cou our m e a ear who j sti i y, sh ll s nd j sti i i s th gh v y nty f ti s y , , our c o e out of e er re the e o e a o the a with f knights, h s n v y shi by p pl , sh ll h ld s id z e d i nth da an a e ace a 19 . an a e the cou o t th o e . ssi s, in nty, y , pl pp int d And f y m a e r ca o b e e erm e ou the da a o e f or o n the a ze e ac tt s nn t d t in d , y pp int d h ldi g ssi s in h co u so m a of the ni and ree o er as a e ee at the a ze a ore ai nty, ny k ghts f h ld s h v b n ssi s f s d, a a to e c e em as e ce ar accor n as ere m ore or e u e sh ll st y d id th , is n ss y, di g th is l ss b sin ss .
20 . reema a not b e am erce f or a m a aul b ut a er the m a er of the A f n sh ll d s ll f t, ft nn au and f or a rea cr m e accor to the e ou e of a to him f lt g t i ding h in sn ss it, s ving his co e em e nd a r he m e a him m erc a e a e t a m a er a m erch n a o . nt n nt ; ft s nn t, s ving t his h ndis a v illein' ‘ a b e am erce a ter the am e m a er a to him his a a e And l sh ll d f s nn , s ving w in g ,
By the an cient Saxon constitution there was only one superi or court of j ustice the om and a cour had c o za ce o of c and ri ua cau e in kingd , th t t gni n b th ivil spi t l s s, r e viz. the wittena emote or e e ra cou c c a sem e a ual o o er , g g n l n il, whi h s bl d nn ly, ft n , ere er the e r m a a er or h u e as e to do r a e wh v king k pt his Ch ist s, E st , W its ntid , w ll p iv t u ce the co u e the e cc e a cal ur j sti as to consult upon pub lic business. At nq st l si sti j is c o was er e o a o er c a e and the co ueror e a e a c o a di ti n div t d int n th h nn l, nq st blish d nst nt c our his o wn a e ce ca e B racto nand o er a c e au or aul a re ia t in h ll, th n ll d by th n i nt th s g ’ or a ula re is c our was com o e of the re a of cer of a e re e g . This t p s d king s g t fi s st t sid nt a ace nd usuall a a on e r o uc as the or c o a e in his p , a tte nd nt his p s n s h d high nst b l / y l l and or m are c a who c efl re e ma er of o our and of arm e er l d s h l , hi y p sid d in tt s h n s, d t m accor e law m nd he law of a o . Be e e e ere ining ding to th ilitary a t n ti ns sid s th s , th ere the or e ar and or rea C am er a the e ar of the ou e w l d high st w d l d g t h b l in, st w d h s ’ o the or c a ce or o e e cu ar u e was to e e the ea and h ld, l d h n ll , wh s p li b sin ss it k p king s s l, e a m e all uc r ra and e e r as ere to a u er a aut or and x in s h w its , g nts l tt s w p ss nd th t h ity, the or re a urer who was the r c a a se r all m a ter re a to the l d high t s , p in ip l dvi in t s l ting re e ue e e o cer ere a e cer a er o ear e the a v n , Th s high ffi s w ssist d by t in p s ns l n d in l ws, ’ who ere ca e the u ar or u ce and the re a er aro of ar w ll d king s j stici s j sti s, by g t b ns p liam e nt all of m had inthe aula re a and orm e a of cour of , who a se at gi , f d kind t a ea or ra er of a ce m a er of rea m om e and f cu all e e pp l , th dvi , in tt s g t nt dif i lty th s in e r e eral de m e u ar u e o cr m a and c il and th i s v part ents transacte d all s c l b sin ss b th i in l iv , e e the ma er f the re e ue and o e r all re e one e c al m a ra e lik wis tt s o v n v p sid d sp i gist t , cal e the c e u ic ar or a italis usticiarius totius A nlia who was al o the l d hi f j st i , c p j g , s r c a m e r of a e the e co m aninthe om and r ue of p in ip l inist st t , s nd kingd , , by vi t his ’ o ce uar a of the realm the k a e ce and o cer was who r ffi , g di n in ing s bs n this ffi it p in cipally de termine d all the vast varie ty of causes that arose in this e xtensive jurisdic ti on and from the ple nitu de of his power gre w at length both obno xious to the e o e nd e r th p pl a dang ous to e governm ent which em pl oye d him . ’ ll This great universal court be ing bound to fo llo w the king s h ouse h old in a his ro re e and e e o the r a of c m m o cau e ere was ou er p g ss s xp diti ns, t i l o n s s th in f nd v y ur e om e to the u e c e re ore o who rea e al o the o er of b th ns s bj t wh f King J hn , d d d s p w the u t c a r er rea co e ted to a c e c now orm th e a o e j s i i , v y dily ns n th t arti l whi h f s b v c a e — B l m r of a a ar a 3 . o . 3 8 h pt M gn Ch t C . ” - f 1 Under the A nglo Norman kings the bulk of the peasantry was in a sta te o l e a e or er om The e was ab o u e e e e onthe of his ord vil in g s fd . vill in s l t ly d p nd nt will l , A A T J 10 THE GRE T CH R ER OF OHN . if he falls under our m ercy and none of the aforesaid am erciaments shall b e e a of o e n e e b ut th o m en the e our oo 21. ar a d ass ss d by th h n st in n ighb h d . E ls not b e am erce b ut e and a e of the o f e ce aro a r ee r er the re e . b ns sh ll d, by th i p s , ft d g f n 22 N o e cc e a ca er o a b e am erce f or l a e em e b ut accor . l si sti l p s n sh ll d his y t n nt, ding to the ro or o of the o er a ore ai and not accor to the a ue of his p p ti n th s f s d, ding v l ene fice e a ca b 23 . e e r a e ra to e cclesi sti l . N ith town nor any te nant shall b dist in d m e r e or a u e a a c e and f ri e are oun to d o . ak b idg s b nks, nl ss th t n i ntly o ght th y b d it h r nsta ble coroner or oth f the rown 24 . N o s e co er our bail s shal hold leas o c . iff , , , if , l p f c u e u re a e e n l d re 25 . o a a d t thin at the o All nti s, h nd ds, w p nt k s, y gs shall stand nts, ou an cre a e e ce our e m e e n one o m a or . 26 a with t in s ; x pt in d sn n s . f h ding y ( I y l of us a l a - f e e die and the er ff o r our a l ff o our e er a e of y , sh i , b i i s, sh w l tt s p t nt um m o f or e c the e a m an owe to us a b e a u f or the s ns d bt whi h d d did , it sh ll l wf l er or our a ff to a ac and ro the c a e of the ea ou u o his l a sh iff b ili tt h in ll h tt ls d d, f nd p n y f ee to the a ue of the e the e of a u m en so as o b e rem o e , v l d bt, by vi w l wf l , n thing v d until our wh ole clear debt b e paid and the re st shall b e l eft to the e xe cutors to u the e am e of the ea and ere b e o i due rom him to us all the f lfil t st nt d d, if th n th ng f , c a e h a o to the use of the e a a to e and c re e r reaso a e h tt ls s ll g d d, s ving his wif hild n th i n bl n r em a die u e are . 27 . a e a e a e his c a e a b e r sh s If y f n sh ll int st t , h tt ls sh ll dist ib t d by the a of e are re a o and r e e of the urc a i to h nds his n st l ti ns f i nds, by vi w Ch h s v ng ne e e e a of e er o s c th cea e o e to him . 2 8 N o co ab e or v y his d bt whi h d s d w d . nst l b iliff our a a e cor or o e r c a e of an m an u e he re e e him s sh ll t k n th h tt ls y , nl ss p s ntly giv
- m o e f or or at re e of a m e b the oo of the e e r . 29 . N o n y it, h h spit p y nt y g d will s ll c o a e a i ra an k to e m o e f or ca e uar he m e nst bl sh ll d st in y night giv n y stl g d, if hi s lf will d o er o or a o er a e m an ca e he ca o do rou an it in his p s n, by n th bl , in s nn t it th gh y re a o a e cau e we ea him or e him anarm he a b e re e rom s n bl s . And if l d , s nd in y, sh ll f f uc uar f or the m e he a b e the arm m m . 3 0 N o er f s h g d ti sh ll in y by our co and . sh if or a li of our or an o er a a e or e or car of an reem a f or b i ff s, y th , sh ll t k h s s ts y f n a u he - ll f h we n r ur carr e b t t oo o t e a re em a . 3 1. Ne er a o o i g , by g d wi s id f n ith sh ll ’ a ff a e an m a m er f or our ca e or o er u e u es the co e b ili s t k y n s ti b stl s, th s s nl s by ns nt f he er of the mb er 3 2 We re a the c c e of o t own ti . . will t in lands of those onvi t d e o o one e ar and a da and e e a b e e ere to the or of f l ny nly y y , th n th y sh ll d liv d l d he f e ar f r the m r f 3 3 . o e o m e he r e t e e . All w s ti t co shall b e put down in t iv s o am e and e a and rou u l l E o the sea- coa o a a e ce u . Th s M dw y, th gh t ngl nd, x pt p n st 3 4 The r c ca e ra ci e f r h n one . o t e u ure a not b e m a e out to a w it whi h is ll d p p , f t , sh ll d y of an e em e ere a re em a m a ose his c our 3 5 ere a b e y t n nt, wh by f n y l t . . Th sh ll one m e a ure of e and o ne of al e rou our rea m and one m ea ure s win , th gh whole l s of c or a to sa the o o uarter and one rea of e c o n , th t is y, L nd n q ; b dth dy d l th, and ru e and hab er e ets a is to sa two e the and a b e ss ts, j , th t y , lls within lists it sh ll f m ea ure f as o . 3 6 o a e e r o e . N rom e ce or b o w ights, it is s s thing f h n f th sh ll giv n a e f or a wr of u o of e or m b ut a b e ra e ree and not t k n, it inq isiti n lif li b, it sh ll g nt d f ly, n d f u f - e e . 3 7 . a o o o s e e arm or oca e or b ur a e and he d ni d If y h ld by f , by s g , by g g , ’ o a so a of an o er er ce we not a e the cu o of h ld l l nds y th by knight s s vi , will h v st dy ’ the e r or a c o e of a o er m a f ee rea o of a f e e- arm h i l nd, whi h is h ld n n th n s by s n th t f , oca e or ur a e e er we a e the cu o of uc f e e - arm oca e or s g , b g g n ith will h v st dy s h f , s g , ’ ce was due u e e - W ur a e e ce er to s out of th am e f e arm . e b g g , x pt knight s s vi s f will no t a e the cu o of an e r nor of an a c he o of a o er h v st dy h i , y l nd whi h h lds n th by ’ er ce re a o of an e er ea a o of us the knight s s vi , by s n y p tty s j nty th t h lds , by
and a e er he o e e was the ro er of or who m e ze at his wh t v p ss ss d p p ty his l d, ight s i it ’ e a ure The or was c a e the k cour f or an a roc ou er o a pl s . l d indi t bl in ing s ts y t i s p s n l ur c e him u o e c was the o e ro ec o c the inj y infli t d by p n his vill in, whi h s l p t ti n whi h a e to the l a er a a o er laws g v tt g inst his wn . i e a e was o e er not a o u e a er was o to his or a the V ll in g , h w v , bs l t sl v y . It nly l d th t u a nd had h e was m e re o . o ar all o er he was ree a t e vill in in this h bl l ti n T w ds th s f , of a ree m a co e u e o o er ar of the cou r m a rights f n ns q ntly, by flight int th p ts nt y ny villeins e scape d from the ir state of bondage and th ough the lord had a legal right his ur u m u e a The u e c a to re c a m em o a e e e e e c u . e o l i th , p s it st ft n h v b n in ff t l ind lg n ls of m a or ra e e r e n m a n u e c e c ra ua r e e rom ny l ds g nt d th i vill i s ny i d lg n i s, whi h g d lly ip n d f e a r e r e customary privilege s into l g l ights . Many l ords emancipate d th i vill ins and b y the se and other m ode s the peasantry gradually e m erged from the condition of r se rfs to that of free labou ers . 11 THE GREAT CHA RTER OF JOHN .
e r ce of to a a i e arro or the e 3 8 . No a ff rom e ce or a ut s vi p y kn f , w, lik . b ili f h n f th sh ll p an m anto law u o own are a ou cre e e e to ro e . y his p n his b s ying, with t dibl witn ss s p v it 3 9 N r mansha ll takenor im risoned or disseis ed or outlawed or banished . o f ee be p , , , , or an a s tr ed nor will we ass u on him nor cond emnhim wnless b the y w y des oy , p p , , y w nd 4 0 e will sell to no la w u is eers or b the la o the la . . W f l j udg ment of h p , y f
n an her ustice or ri ht 4 1. m er a a a e man we will not den to a m eit . c , y y , j g All h nts sh ll h v a e and e cure co uc to o out of and to com e o a and to a ere and s f s nd t, g , int Engl nd, st y th , to a s as e a as a e r f or u and e the a c e and a o e p s w ll by l nd by w t , b ying s lling by n i nt ll w d cu om ou an e o e ce m e of war or e e are of an st s, with t y vil t lls ; x pt in ti , wh n th y y a o at war us A ere b e ou an uc ou r a the n ti n with . nd if th f nd y s h in l nd, in e i of the war e a b e a ac e ou am a e to e r o e or b ginn ng , th y sh ll tt h d, with t d g th i b di s oo u b e k o u o us or our c e u c ar how our m erc a b e g ds, ntil it n wn nt , hi f j sti i y, h nts rea e the a o at war us and if our b e a e ere the o er a b e t t d in n ti n with s s f th , th s sh ll f or the m e t c om e f r n one m . 4 2 a b e a u o o a a e our o o . s f in d ini ns It sh ll l wf l, ti , y to o out of our k n om and re ur a e and ecure a or a er g i gd , t n s f ly s ly, by l nd by w t , a to us u e im e of war om e or ace f or s ving his alle giance nl ss in t , by s sh t sp , the c omm o e of the rea m e ce r o er and ou a accor to the n b nefit l , x pt p is n s tl ws, ding law of the a and e o e inwar us and m erc a who a b e in uc l nd, p pl with , h nts sh ll s h e n m an o of an e c ea as of the i o as a o e m e o . 4 3 . a c ond ti n is b v nti n d If y h ld y s h t, o our of a or N o am Bou o e a ca er or of o er e c ea h n W llingf d, ttingh , l gn , L n st , th s h ts c b e our a and are aro e and die e r a e no o er whi h in h nds, b ni s, , his h i sh ll giv th re e and er orm no o e r e r ce ' to u s a he ou to the aro ere li f, p f th s vi , th n w ld b n, if it w ’ h w i a r he e m a n h ar e . 4 4 in t e baron s hand e w ll hold it fte t sam n er as t e b on h ld it . o e m enwho e ou the ore rom e ce or a not com e e ore our Th s dw ll with t f st, f h n f th sh ll b f u c ar e of the ore u o comm o umm o b ut uc as are m ea ed or are j sti i i s f st, p n n s ns, s h i pl d , wi e e e e r h re 4 5 . e ll pl dg s f or any that are attach d f or som e thing conc ning t e fo st . W ' not make an ti ta bles her s or bail s but o su h as know the l aw o the us ces cons , s ifi, , c f y j , ifif nd a e rea lm and mea nd ul to observe it. 4 6 . aro who a e ou e a e a y All b ns h v f nd d bb ys, h v ’ the of a c ar er of a o o or the a c e e ure ere o a a e kings Engl nd s h t s dv ws n, n i nt t n th f, sh ll h v the ee of em e aca as e ou to a e . 4 7 . ore a a e k ping th , wh n v nt, th y ght h v All f sts th t h v e e m a e ore our m e al or b e ore e and the am e al be b n d f sts in ti , sh l f thwith disf st d s sh l r e e ce u o m e 4 8 . e i cu om done with the banks that have b n fe n d in by s in u ti . All v l st s co ce r re t arre ore e r and arre er er ff and e r ofli cers n ning fo s s, w ns, f st s w n s , sh i s th i , r er and e r ee er a or b e uire o eac coun e e iv s th i k p s , sh ll f thwith inq d int in h ty, by tw lv or of the am e re c o e cre a e er o of the am e cou sw n knights s shi , h s n by dit bl p s ns s nty and i or a a er the a ue b e u er a o e so as e er to b e with n f ty d ys ft s id inq st, tt ly b lish d , n v re ore : so as we are r ac ua e ere or our u c ar we ou st d fi st q int d th with, j sti i y, if sh ld not We will m m e a e nd be a . 4 9 e e u all o a a r in Engl nd . i di t ly giv p h st g s w itings e ere u o us b our u e c as e cur e f or e r e e i the eace d liv d nt y English s bj ts, s iti s th i k p ng p , and e i us a u r ce 5 0 W e e ire re m e rom our ai yi ld ng f ithf l se vi . . will nt ly ov f b liwicks the re a o of e rar de A the e s so a f or the u ure e a a e no a l ti ns G d y , th t f t th y sh ll h v b ili ck a : we l a o re m o e En elard de C on re e er and wi in Engl nd wi l ls v g yg y , And w P t , o rom the a cer o d e C on eo f re de ar and b ro er Gy n , f Ch n y Gy n yg y , G f y M tyn his th s ar and his ro er and e e eo re and e r o e re ue Philip M k, b th s, his n ph w, G ff y, th i wh l tin . 5 1 o o as e ace re ore we e out of the k n om all ore n . As s n p is st d , will s nd i gd f ig o er cro - o m e and e ar e who are com e or e and arm to s ldi s, ss b w n, stip ndi i s, with h s s s the re u c n ne a e of our e o e . 5 2 a o h s ee o e e or e r e p j di p pl . If y b n disp ss ss d d p iv d by u s w ou the e al u m e of eer of his a ca e er e or ri , ith t l g j dg nt his p s , l nds, stl s, lib ti s, ght, we or re tore em to him and an u e ar e u o ea l et will f thwith s th if y disp t is p n this h d, the m a e r b e e c e t he fiv e - and - ar e e b o re a er m e o e f or th tt d id d by tw nty ns h ft nti n d, e e a f th r er o o e eace . f or all o e of c an e r o has ou p s v ti n p As th s things whi h y p s n , with t the e a u m e of eer ee o e e or e r e e er n e r l g l j dg nt his p s, b n disp ss ss d d p iv d, ith by Ki g H n y o ur a er or our ro er c ar and c we a e our a or are f th , b th King Ri h d, whi h h v in h nds, o e e o e r and we are ou to arra and m a e oo we a a e a p ss ss d by th s, b nd w nt k g d, sh ll h v respite till the term usually al lowe d the crusade rs e xcepting th ose things about c ere a ea e e or ereo an ue a ee m a e our whi h th is pl d p nding, wh f inq st h th b n d , by or er be ore we u er oo the cru a e b ut e we r ur rom our ri m a e d , f nd t k s d , wh n et n f pilg g , or erc a ce we arr at om e and do not m ake our r m a e we i m m e if p h n t y h pilg i g , w ll i a e ce o b e a w cau e u u t m ere e e 5 3 . The am e re e e di t ly s f ll j sti d inist d th r in . s spit a a e a inthe am e ma ne r a ou a mi te r u ce dis- a f ore n the sh ll h v nd s n b t d nis ing j sti , f sti g ore or se t em co ue f or aff ore n the ore ic e r our f sts, t ing th ntin ) dis sti g f sts , wh h H n y a er and our ro er c ar a e aff o e e f the a f th , b th Ri h d h v r ste d and f or the k eping o l nds 1 T AT A T J 2 HE GRE CH R ER OF OHN .
’ c are a o er f ee inthe am m a e e whi h in n th s , s e nner as we hav hith rto enj oyed those ’ war hi rea o of a f e e e of us er ce and f or the a e ds ps, by s n h ld by knight s s vi ; bb ys ou e an o er f ee a our own c the or of the f e e a he has a f nd d in y th th n , in whi h l d s ys r and e we re ur rom our r m a e or we arr ight ; wh n t n f pilg i g , if t d o not make our l r m a e we mm e a e do ul u ce to all the pi g i g , will i di t ly f l j sti c om a a in e n ha . 5 4 N o m a a e e r r o e u o pl in nts this b lf . sh ll b tak n o im p is n d p n the a ea of a om a f o he e n 5 A ll r t a of a er a h u a . 5 . pp l w n, d th y oth th n er h sb nd ' u u and e a e m a e us and all am erc am e m o e unustl nj st ill g l fin s d with , i nts i p s d y and conrar to the l aw of the a a b e e re or i e or e e he fef t to t y l nd, sh ll nti ly f g v n, ls the e c o f he fiv e - and - e d isi n o t tw nty b arons hereafter m entione d f or the preservation o f the e ace or of the m a or ar of em o e er S p , j p t th , t g th with the afore said te phen, arc o of a erb ur he canb e re e and o er om he a hbish p C nt y, if p s nt, th s wh sh ll think fit to a e a o him and he ca o b e re e the u e a notwith t k l ng with ; if nn t p s nt, b sin ss sh ll a o ou ou him b ut so a one or m ore of the a ore a fiv e ~and st nding g with t th t if f s id e aro b e a f the am e cau e e a b e set a e as to a tw nty b ns pl intif s in s s , th y sh ll sid wh t co cer s ar cu ar aff a r and o er b e c o e e r room ou t of the a n n this p ti l i , th s h s n in th i , s id fiv e - a d - n e and or the re to e c e the m we a e dis a er. 5 6 tw nty, sw n by st d id tt . If h v e e or o e e the e of an a s er e or o er ou the s is d disp ss ss d W lsh, y l nd , lib ti s, th things, with t e a u m e of e r e e r e er a or a e e a b e m m e l g l j dg nt th i p s, ith in Engl nd in W l s, th y sh ll i diatel re ore to em and an u e ar e u o ea the m a e r a b e y st d th if y disp t is p n this h d, tt sh ll de term ine d in the m arche by the j udgm e nt of the ir pe ers f or te ne m e nts in England accord n to the law of a f or e e m e a e acc or to the l aw of i g Engl nd, t n nts in W l s ding a e f or e em e of the m arc e accor to the l aw of the m arc e the am e W l s, t n nts h ding h s
a the el do to us and our u e c . 5 A s f or all f sh ll W sh s bj ts 7 . those things o which a e ma a ou the e a u m e of eer b ee e e or e r e W lsh n h th, with t l g l j dg nt his p s, n diss is d d p iv d
a eal the e e ere ere u e oe not an com a An p p , in s ns wh in it is h s d, d s signify y pl int to a u e r or cour of ani u ce o e ani er or one ch is the e era use s p i t nj sti d n by nf i , whi g n l of the word ; b ut it here m eans anoriginal suit at the tim e of its first com m e nce n m e . a eal ere ore e o e of as a cr mi a ro e cu o e o e a nt An pp , th f , wh n sp k n i n l p s ti n, d n t s ac cu a r a e u e c a a a o er f or om e e ou cr m e em a s tion by a p iv t s bj t g inst n th s h in s i , d nding u m e onac cou of th e ar cu a r ur uff ere ra er a f or the o f e ce p nish nt nt p ti l inj y s d, th th n f n a ai g nst the public . This private proce ss f or the punishm ent of public crim e s had probably its origin o e m e e a r a e e cu ar ati f ac o ca e a were ild was c o a in th s ti s wh n p iv t p ni y s s ti n , ll d g , nst ntly
a to the ar ure or re a e to e a e e orm ou off e ce . ere p id p ty inj d, his l tiv , xpi t n s n s As th ore ur the co ua ce of cus om a roc e was certai e f or f d ing ntin n this t , p ss nly giv n re covering the weregild by the party to whom it was due it se em s that whe n the se o ff e ce e e e re no o er re e em a e the r a e roce s was con n s by d gr s g w l ng d bl , p iv t p s still e r o ure the c o of u m e u o the o f e er ou tinn d, in orde t ins infli ti n p nish nt p n f nd , th gh
- the r was a e no e cu ar com e sa o f or the off e ce . 4 B l pa ty inj ure d llow d p ni y p n ti n n .
0 0m . 3 12. An appeal of f elony might have bee n brought f or crim e s com m itte d e ither against h e r e r re a o Th e cr m e a a the ar e em e e t e partie s them se lv s o th i l ti ns . i s g inst p ti s th s lv s e re arce ra e and ar o and f or e e as e as f or m a em the e r o w l ny, p , s n, th s , w ll yh , p s n ro e ra e m a m e or o e ou e ere ur m a e tu e bb d, vish d, i d, wh s h s s w b nt , ight h v insti t d this ’ r The o cr m e a a o e re a o f or c ana e a cou b e p ivate proce ss . nly i g inst n s l ti n whi h pp l ld r u w a of ki n him e er m ur e r or m a au er B ut cou b o ght as th t lli g by ith d nsl ght . this ld not b e rou e er re a o b ut o b the e f or the e a of her u a b ght by v y l ti n, nly y , wif d th h sb nd, h r m a e f or he ea of his a ce or c e r was a s o co rm e or by t e he i l t d th n st , whi h h i ship l nfi d by an ordinance of King Henry the First to the four nearest de grees of bloo d . It was e to the e onaccou of the o of her u a ere ore she giv n wif nt l ss h sb nd th f , if m arri e a a e ore or e her a eal was o and o e or she m arr e d g in b f p nding pp , it l st g n if i d a er u m e she cou not e m a e e cu o . The e r m u a o a e e e ft j dg nt, ld d nd x ti n h i st ls h v b n e r m a e and uc a one as was the e e r the cour e of the com m o l aw at h i l , s h n xt h i by s n he m he of the a ce or. But ru e had re e e ce o r t ti e of t killing n st this l th x pti ns fi st, the er o e e an o ce e she o l and not the e r c ou a e the if p s n kill d l ft inn nt wif , n y, h i , ld h v a ea e co ere ere no e and the e r ere accuse of the m ur e r pp l s ndly, if th w wif , h i w d d , the person who next to him would have b ee n he ir m ale should have brought the a e al r the e l e her u b a the e r m a ea her of the pp ; thi dly, if wif ki l d h s nd, h i ight pp l — e 3 15 . d ath See further 4 Bl . 0 0m. T AT A T R J 13 HE GRE CH R E OF OHN . of K e r our a er or our ro er K c ar and c we e er by ing H n y f th , b th ing Ri h d. whi h ith a e our a or o er are o e e of and we are o e to arra we h v in h nds, th s p ss ss d , blig d w nt it, shall have a re spite till the tim e ge nerally allowe d the cru saders ; e xce pting th ose u e or ere o an ue has e e mad e our things about which a s it is d pe nding, wh f inq st b n by r er w er o o the cru a e b ut e we re ur or we a at om e o d , be fore e und t k s d wh n t n , if st y h i ou e r orm our rima e we mm e a e do em u u ce w th t p f ing pilg g , will i di t ly th f ll j sti , he of the e and of the ar e ore m e o e 5 8 W e according to t laws W lsh p ts b f nti n d . . l t ou e a m the sonof Llewellin and all the e o a e and wi l wi h t d l y dis iss , W lsh h st g s, re lease them from the e ngagem ents they have e nte re d into with us f or the pre serva h e e We l rea e a er f Sc c r i o of t e ac 5 9 . o o o ce ti n p . wil t t with Al x nd , King ts, n n ng the re or er and o a e and r and e r ie the am e orm st ing his sist s h st g s, his ight lib t s, in s f and m anner as we shall do to the re st of our barons of England ; unle ss by the ar er c we a e rom a er l am a e n of Sco ou to b e Ch t s whi h h v f his f th , Wil i , l t Ki g ts, it ght o er e and a l e e to the e e rm a o of his ee r our co th wis ; this sh l b l ft d t in ti n p s in urt . 6 0 the a ore a cu om and er e c we a e ra e to b e o e . All f s id st s lib ti s, whi h h v g nt d h ld n in our k om as m uc as e o to us o ar our e o e of our i om as ingd , h it b l ngs , t w ds p pl k ngd , e c er as a a o er e as f ar as e are co cerne o ar e r w ll l gy l ity sh ll bs v , th y n d, t w ds th i e e e 6 1 A nd erea f or the o our of G od and the am e m e of our d p nd nts . . wh s, h n nd nt k n om and f or the e e r u e n the i cor a has ar e e ee us and i gd , b tt q i ti g d s d th t is n b tw n our aro we a e ra e all e e a ore a li to re er h em b ns, h v g nt d th s things f s id wil ng nd t firm an w d e ra our u e c the u er d as e o and ri e e cur l ting, giv g nt s bj ts nd w tt n s ity, am e a e m a fiv e - and - e ar f the k m th aro c oo e o o o om n ly, th t b ns y h s tw nty b ns ingd , wh e k co e e who a a e care all e r m to o and o er e th y thin nv ni nt ; sh ll t k with th i ight, h ld bs v , and cau e to b e o er e the eace and er e we a e ra e em and s bs v d, p lib ti s h v g nt d th , by this our re e ar er co rm e so a we our u c ar our a f or an of p s nt Ch t nfi d th t if , j sti i y, b ilif s, y our off i cer a an c rcums a ce ai the er orm a ce of em o ar an s , sh ll in y i t n f l in p f n th , t w ds y e r o or a reak rou an of e e ar c e of e ace and e cur and the p s n, sh ll b th gh y th s ti l s p s ity, o f e ce e ou f the fiv e - and- e e ore e e b o e to our aro c o e t o m o f n n tifi d f b ns h s n tw nty b f nti n d, th e a our aro a re a r to us or our u c ar we are out of the rea m s id f b ns sh ll p i , j sti i y, if l , and a n o e the ri e a ce a e o to a e redre e ou e a l yi g p n g v n , sh ll p titi n h v it ss d with t d l y and b e not re re e us or we ou c a ce to b e out of the rea m if if it d ss d by , if sh ld h n l , it o n re re e our u c ar or a recko rom sh ul d ot b e d ss d by j sti i y, within f ty d ys, ning f the m e has ee o e to us or to our u c ar we ou b e out of the rea m ti it b n n tifi d , j sti i y, (if sh ld l ,) the a la e ca e ore the re of he fi- - four barons afore said sh ll y th use b f st t v e and twe nty aro an h fiv e - and - e ar o e er e c m m u d t e a o th o f the b ns s id tw nty b ns, t g th with nity o o e om a ra and re s us all the a o e e z our wh l kingd , sh ll dist in dist s w ys p ssibl , by s i ing cas e a s o e o and o er m a er e can l th e r e a ce tl s, l nd , p ss ssi ns, in th nn th y , ti l g i v n is re re se ac cor n to e r ea ure a n arm e our own er o and the d s d di g th i pl s s vi g h l ss p s n, er o of our uee and c i re and e is re re e e a o e us as p s n q n h ld n wh n it d ss d, th y sh ll b y e ore an e a oe er n om m a e a . r o the ki ar he o e b f And y p s n wh ts v in gd , y sw th t will b y the or e of the fiv e - and - e aro af id in he e e rs ore sa t cu o he d tw nty b ns , x ti n of t premise s and he re us o em to the u m o of o er and w will dist ss , j intly with th , t st his p w ; e e u c and ree b er to an one a a e a e to ear to em and e e r giv p bli f li ty y th t sh ll pl s sw th , n v
a e r an e r o rom a the am e oa . 6 2 A s f or all o e of sh ll hind y p s n f t king s th . th s our
u ec wh nt of e r ownaccor ear to o he fiv - a d- o o t e n e aro s bj ts will , th i d, sw j in tw nty b ns ra and re us we ue or er to m a e em a e the am in dist ining dist ssing , will iss d s k th t k s e oa as a ore a d n he fiv e - and- e A n an o e of t aro die or th f s id . if y tw nty b ns , goe s out of the ki om or in e an o er wa r m carr ngd , is h d re d y th y f o ying the things afore said into e e cu o the re of the fiv e - nd - e aro m a a x ti n, st said tw nty b ns y choose another in his room at e r cre o wh a b e or e m a er a h e o s t re . , th i dis ti n, sh ll sw n in lik nn st In all
n a are comm e to the e ecu o of e e fiv e- d - an e ar thi gs th t itt d x ti n th s tw nty b ons, if, whe n e are all a em e o e er e ou a e to a ree a ou an m a er th y ss bl d t g th , th y sh ld h pp n dis g b t y tt , and om e of em e umm o e l not or ca o com e a e er a ree s th , wh n s n d, wi l , nn t, , wh t v is g d u o or e o e the m a or ar of o e a are re e a b e re u e as p n, nj in d, by j p t th s th t p s nt, sh ll p t d firm d all the fiv - a - an valid as if e nd twenty had give n the ir conse nt and the afore a fiv e - and - e a ear a all the re m e e a a o er e s id tw nty sh ll sw , th t p is s th y sh ll f ithft bs v , and cau e all e r o er to b e o s e r e w t our e e . e i no or s with th i p w b v d And w ll , by s lv s, an o er rocure an e re an of and er e m by y th , p y thing wh by y the se c once ssions lib ti s ay b e re o e or e e e and an uc i b e o a e le t b e u and o d v k d l ss n d if y s h th ng bt in d, it n ll v i e f er a we e er m a e use o e er ur e e or an o er. all the n ith sh ll v k it, ith by o s lv s y th And will i na io and ra cour a a e ar e e e e us and our u ec of ill , ind g t ns, n s th t h v is n b tw n s bj ts, the c er and a rom the r b reak out of the e o b e ee us we d l gy l ity, f fi st ing diss nsi n tw n , o AT J N . A S T A T l é DE H OF OH RENEW L OF HE CH R ER . fully rem it and forgive m oreover all tre spasse s oc casione d by the said disse nsion , rom a er the 15 e ar of our re the re ora o of eace and ra u f E st in th y ign , till st ti n p t nq illity, we ere e re re m to al l o c er and a and as f ar as u s e d o h by nti ly it , b th l gy l ity, in li s W e a m e e er a e u or e . e m oreo er cau e to b e m a e f or e th f lly f giv h v , v , s d d th l tt s p t nt e m o al of S e e or arc o of a er ur e r or arc o of t sti ni t ph n, l d hbish p C nt b y , H n y, l d hbish p D u and the o a ore sa as a o of m a er Pandul h f or the e cur and blin, bish ps f id, ls st p , s ity f co ce o a ore a . 6 3 ere ore we l and rm e o a the urc o n ssi ns f s id . Wh f wi l fi ly nj in, th t Ch h a b e ree and a all the m en our n om a e and o all the a ore Engl nd f , th t in ki gd h v h ld f a l b e r e r and co ce o ru and eace a re e and u e u s id i ti s, ights, n ssi ns, t ly p bly, f ly q i tly, f lly and o to e m e e and e r e r of us and our e r al l and wh lly th s lv s th i h i s, h i s, in things ce f or e er is a a al ' n e n ur ar a nth e ar a as ore . so swor as o o s o pl s, v , f s id It is , w ll p t p t of he aro a all the a ore a a b e o er e bo d e and ou t , nd fi b ns th t things f s id sh ll bs v d with t
- e i u . e u er our a the re e ce of the e e a o e am e v l s btilty Giv n nd h nd, in p s n witn ss s b v n d, and m a o er the m ea o ca e R uninm e de e ee or and S ai e ny th s, in d w ll d g , b tw n Winds t n s , the 15 da of u e the 1 ear of our re . th y J n , in 7th y ign
o e oo a er the r of Grea r er e a d J hn di d s n ft g ant the t Cha t , l aving Engl n or c v war and ore a o o of hi c had ee ca t n by i il f ign inv si n, b th w h b n used erfid and n Pem a h h ar of by his p y tyr n y . T e first act of t e great E l Pro was ro e as ec or of the om onthe acce o of e r . b k , t t Kingd ssi n H n y III , to re e the Gre ar er b ut e era c an e the m o im n w at Ch t , with s v l h g s, st p ortant of which was the omission of the provisions concerning the m a ner and rea o of e n a a e a rea o f o r n s n l vyi g scut ge s . It ssign d as s n the o o of and o er e m a er a the re a e and missi n this th w ighty tt s, th t p l t s b arons had agieed to respite the consideration of them till further e era o co b e had e e and c o er hi as ertained to d lib ti n uld , wh n th y su h th t ngs p the wel a re o a ll o b e o u re e e and t r The f f sh uld m st f lly vi w d se ight . stipula ’ o o ar er c ere of a em orar a ur re erre ti ns in J hn s Ch t , whi h w t p y n t e, and f d to the roo and allie of a k and aro re ec e ere of t ps s th t ing his b ns sp tiv ly, w ’ co r e not co e o e r a the r vi o f or em o er u s pi d int H n y s Ch rters . And p o si ns p w
the e - fiv e er c o e aro to re re o a o of the ar ing tw nty h s n b ns d ss vi l ti ns Ch t , no re f e were t newed . A duplicate o the Charter was fo rthwith transm itt d ’ to re a f or th e e e of the ec ere and r ere I l nd, b n fit king s subj ts th w its w e to the er f of the e era li co e com m a di em s nt sh i fs s v l Eng sh unti s, n ng th to cause the Charter of Liberties to b e publicly read in full County o r and to see a or a ce re o er e wi e r C u t, th t its din n s we fully bs v d thin th i era r ic o the ex ear a er th e Fre c au hi had sev l ju isd ti ns , In n t y , ft n h D p n ee r e out of the om and the ma co e who had b n d iv n kingd , l nt nt English o er him had re rne to e r a e ce the arter of f ught und tu d th i ll gian , Ch er e was ra e a a n and was a a re e e e r the Lib ti s g nt d g i , g in n w d by H n y in ear of his re at c am e e the ar er of the Fore ninth y ign, whi h s tim Ch t st was ra e ere a of m o a roci o e of r -l g nt d , wh by m ny the st t us iniquiti s the p imi
e am - h a e tiv g e laws were redressed . T e two Ch rters were five tim s ’ re e e e ee eriod and e r ea o e of e n w d b tw n this H n y s d th . At s m th se renewals temporary vari ations were introduced ; but it is in the fo rm ’ in which it was promul gated in the ninth year of Henry s reignthat the Grea r er was o em co r e cce or and t Cha t s l nly nfi m d by his su ss , in a orm e r at the e of our a e oo ere as e ore th t f it app a s h ad st tut b k, wh ( b f m entioned) it is printed from the insp eximus and confirmation of it r by Edwa d I .
I 16 THE GREAT CHARTER or HENRY II .
PT R CHA E VI .
Heirs sha ll be M arried without Disp aragement. ’ [ Simil ar to 6th Chapter of John s Charter. ]
T CHAP ER VII . ’ ne The Kin s w shall have her M ar ria e Inherit i . A Wido g , ance, and !uarant g i & W dow, c. ’ [Sim ilar (with additions) to the 7th and 8th Chapters of J ohn s Charter. ]
P CHA TER VIII . t s al r How Sw e ies h l be cha ged to the King .
’ [Sam e as 9th Chapter of Job u s Charter. ]
P CHA TER IX . and oth r it nd rmed The Liberties o L ond on e C ies a Towns confi. f ’ f r [Sam e as 13 th Chapter o John s Charte . ]
CHAPTER X .
’ 6 h a r f r [ Sam e as l t Ch pte o John s Charte . ]
AP CH TER XI . ’ CommonPleas shall not f ollow the King s Court. ’ Sam e as 1 ha er of o e r [ 7th C pt J hn s Chart . ]
S CHAPTER XII . XIII . d w A siz s hen be w A ssizes sha ll be taken A o rnenent or D i ult . s e W and f ore hom . j f iflc y r nt of D arreinP ese ment. ’ a o ou to 18 and 19th a er of J o ar er [ An l g s th Ch pt s hn s Ch t . ]
CHAPTER XIV.
o a h ll a rced and lnwhom . How M en f ll sorts s a be me , g
’ d 2 of r [Sam e as 20th an l st Chapters John s Charte . ]
S 8c CHAPTER XV . XVI .
M aking a nd def ending of Bridg es and B anks . ’ e [ Sim ilar to 23 rd Chapter of Johns Chart r. ]
CHAPTER XVII . Holdin Pleas o the Crown g f . ’ Sam e as 24 th a er of [ Ch pt John s Charter. ]
CHAPTER XVIII . ’ The Kin s D ebtor d in the Kin shall be rst g y g , g fiaid . p ’ Sam e as 26th a er of o arter [ Ch pt J hn s Ch . ] S CHAPTER XIX XX . , XXI .
- rs or a Castle. D oin o Castle war Purve o d . Takin o Horses Carts and ood y f g f g f , , W s. ’ Sam e as 28th 29th 3 oth and 3 l st a er f hn a er [ , , , Ch pt s o Jo s Ch rt . ]
CHAPTER XXII . ’ H w lon Felons nds sh ll in o g La a be holdenby the K g . ’ Sam e as 3 2md a er f o ar r [ Ch pt o J hn s Ch te . ] THE AT A T r I 1 GRE CH R ER o HENRY I I. 7
CHAPTER XXIII . Inwhat l es rs ut p ac Wea sha ll be p down. ’ e as a o [Sam 3 3 rd Ch pter of J hn s Charter. ]
CHAPTER XXIV . Inwha t case a Prceci e in a it rant p C p e is g a ble. ’ Sam e as 14 a er of o ar er [ th Ch pt J hn s Ch t . ] P CHA TER XXV. There shal l be bu t one M easur e throu h t l g he Rea m.
’ Sam e as 3 5 th a J [ Ch pte r of ohn s Charter. ]
P CHA TER XXVI . Inuisitiono L i e and M em e q f f b r. ’ Sam e as 3 8th a er of o ar er [ Ch pt J hn s Ch t . ]
PT CHA ER XXVII . ’ Tenn/re o the Kin inSoca e and o another ni b K ht s Service. Petit er f g g , f y g S j eanty . ’ Sam e as 3 7th a er of Job u ar er [ Ch pt s Ch t . ]
AP CH TER XXVIII . Wa er o L aw sha ll not be without wit ss g f ne . ’ am e as 3 8th a er of o [S Ch pt J hn s Charter. ]
P CHA TER XXIX . ned with t l sh no * N one shall be condem ou Tria . J ustice all t be sold or r def e red .
N o re ema a b e ake or m r o e or b e i e e of re e o f n sh ll t n, i p is n d, d ss is d his f h ld, or er e or ree cu om or b e ou a e or e e or an o er e e ro e lib ti s , f st s , tl w d xil d , y th wis d st y d nor we a u o him nor condemnhim b ut lawf ull u em e of eer will p ss p n , , by j dg nt his p s, W or the l aw of th e a . e e to no m an we wl not e or de er to by l nd will s ll , i l d ny f ” an m ane er u ce or r y ith j sti ight .
CHAPTER XXX . M rchant r n e St a gers coming into this Realm sha ll be well used . ’ Sam e as 4 ha er of o ar er [ l st C pt J hn s Ch t . ]
P R CHA TE XXXI . ’ T n re o a B aron comin nt the in h e w f y g i o K g s ands by Eschea t. ’ ame as 4 3 rd a er of o ar r [S Ch pt J hn s Ch te . ]
R CHAPTE XXXII . ’ nds shal l not be A l o t v i . . rd o Fe La ien t re ud he L or i e e Lo the e. ed o the P j ice f d s Ser c , [ f ]
CHAPTER XXXIII . b h Patrons of A beys s all ha ve the custody of them intime of Vacation. ’ ame 4 [ S as 6th Chapter of John s Charter. ]
P CHA TER XXXIV . l a th Inwhat cases ony Womansha ll have anA pp eal of D ea . ’ [ Same as 5 1st Chapter of John s Charter. ]
’ r Se e 3 9th and 40th Chapters of John s Charte . C CHAPTER XXXV .
’ m sh ll e ke t a ount ourt a h ri s wha t ti e a b C S e Term . A t p y C , f , and a Leet
CHAPTER XXXVI .
o L an shall iv n nM i N d be g e i ortma n.
It shall not b e lawful from h e nce forth to any to give his lands to any re ligious ou e and to a e the am e a a a to o of the am e ou e N or a b e h s , t k s l nd g in h ld s h s . sh ll it a u to an ou e of re o to a e the a of an and to ea e the am e to l wf l y h s ligi n t k l nds y , l s s him of whom he rece ive d it if any from hen ceforth give his lands to any religiou s ou e and ereu o b e co c the t a b e u er o and the a a h s , th p n nvi t, gif sh ll tt ly v id, l nd sh ll “ ” accrue to the lord of the f e e .
T R CHAP E XXXVII .
u sid inres ect o this Charter a the Charter o the Forest ranted to the A S b y p f f , g !i n g .
Escuage from henceforth shall b e take n like as it was wont to b e in the tim e of K e r our ra a er re er n to al l arc o o a o r or ing H n y g ndf th ; s vi g hbish ps, bish ps, bb ts, p i s , e m ar o a er ear aro and all er o as e l r ua as em ora t pl s, h spit l s, ls , b ns, p s ns w l spi it l t p l, all e r re e er e and re e cu om c e a e had m e a e th i f lib ti s f st s, whi h th y h v in ti p ss d . And ll e e cu om and er e a ore a c we a e ra e to b e o e a th s st s lib ti s f s id, whi h h v g nt d h ld n within u as a er a e to us and o e r we al o e our re alm as m c ur r e . this , h pp t in th h i s, sh l bs v all m enof ou r realm as e r ua as e m oral as muc as em And this , w ll spi it l t p , ( h in th a e is) shall observe the sam e ag ins t all p rsons in like wise . And f or this our gift “ nd ra of e e er e and of o er co a e our c ar e r of er e of a g nt th s lib ti s, th nt in d in h t lib ti s “ our ore the arc o o a o r or e ar aro re e f st, hbish ps, bish ps, bb ts, p i s, ls, b ns, knights, f o er and o er our u e c a e e u o us the ee ar of all e r h ld s, th s bj ts, h v giv n nt fift nth p t th i we a e ra e u o em f or u and m ea e . s our e r a e er ov bl s And h v g nt d nt th , h i s, th t n ith “ n our e r a rocure or do an ereb the er e we or h i s sh ll p y thing, wh y lib ti s in this r e charter contain e d shal l b e infringe d or b ok n . And if anything b e procure d by r he rem e al b e had of no orce no e ff co ra to t r ec . e any p erson nt y p is s, it sh l f t Th se
or B . rc o of a er ur . B ho of e e e o o . B o b ing witn ss s, L d A hbish p C nt b y, E is p L nd n, I ish p
e er . of co of a ur f of c . S . o c e er f of Ba . o . o th , P Win h st , H Lin ln , R lisb y, W R h st , W
rce er . of . of ere or . of c e er . of e te r B o Wo st , J Ely, H H f d , R Chi h st , W Ex , ish ps
S m o the o of S . a the o of Be o he he o of . t o t Ab b t t Ed nds, Abb t t Alb ns, Abb t ll , Abb t S u u e a er ur the o of e am th e o of e m er of t . A g stin s in C nt b y, Abb t Ev sh , Abb t W st inst , “ S r he o o f e the of A ind n he of B our . e e t o b o t the Abb ot gh t P t , Abb t R ding, Abb t , a m ur the o of c com the o of e the o of Abbot of M l sb y, Abb t Win h b , Abb t Hyd , Abb t ertes the o of S er ur the o of er e the b o of A b b ote b ir the C y , Abb t h b n , Abb t C n , Ab t ,
e o the o of Seleb the o of re ce er . d e Bur Abbot of Middl t n, Abb t y , Abb t Ci n st H gh , a f e J ar of Sa ur . r o arr nd co . u ce . ar of e er a sti , H E l Ch st Lin ln , W E l lisb y, W E l W n ,
d e are ar of ouce er and ere or . de Fe rrars ar of D er . G . Cl E l Gl st H f d , W E l by, W
f or . ar e ar of e . de B o d ar o N o of em ar e d e Mande vill E l Ess x, H yg E l f lk, W E l Alb l ,
r . de ar of ere or . o ab e of e e R os . z a er . d e H . E l H f d, J C nst l Ch st , R , R Fit w lt , R “ d unefihet t her ert . d e u r e M t c . b A b enie onte . de B uer . . Vyp , W , R , P , W , J
' ll en . de M onem ue . Fitza de or m er . de Be au re sl . de Bre u G y, F s, J , J , H M ti , W S de a Br a de e oma de M ul n e de . o to . d cham p, W . t J hn, P . M nly, i n Lisl , Th s , R ” d u and ente n . de e . M auduit . e Ba o er . A rg y , G N vil, W , J l n , th s
r a ro e e and ra a ore a co r We, atifying and pp ving th s gifts g nts f s id, nfi m and make strong all the same f or us and our heirs p erp etually ; and by e re e do re e the a e and r f or the tenor of thes p s nts n w s m , willing g anting u r a ar r and all and ar r c e f or us and o r hei s, th t this Ch te , singul its a ti l s
a r o a o er e . o o e ever shall b e stedf stly , fi mly, and invi l bly bs v d Alth ugh s m article s in the same Charter contained y et hitherto p eradventure have e we and a or ro a com ro e ce not been k pt, will , by uth ity y l, mand f m h n er e reo we a e ca e forth firmly they b e obs ved . In witn ss whe f h v us d C O N FIRM A TIO CHA RTA RUM .
n e e our er a e to a e . r our So e th s lett s p t nt be m d . T Edwa d, , at W st
er the e da of O c o er the e - fif th ear of our minst , tw lfth y t b , in tw nty y re ign .
a ar or b éen o e co rm e u Magn Ch ta, in this f m, has s l mnly nfi d by o r and arl am e r of r e the twent ~fif th kings p i nts upwa ds thi ty tim s but in y c ore a a ear of Edward I . mu h m th n simple confirm ation of it was ha e a o a e f or a . s e rea e o e the or na bt in d Engl nd As b n l dy m nti n d, igi l Charter of John forbad the levying of escuag e save by consent of the Great C ouncil of the land and although thosé imp ortant p rovisions ’ e ea e e r ar er certa a e were not r p t d in H n y s Ch t , it is in th t th y were ’ re e e enr aro re e re e him e hi c sp ct d . H y s b ns f qu ntly fus d the subsidi s w h em a i h his prodigality was al ways d nd ng . Neither e nor any of his ministers seems ever to have claim ed f or the crown the prerogative of ’ taxing the landholders at discretion : but the s overeign s right of levying o e ro his o c e er the a e of a a e or r e m n y f m t wns and iti s und n m t ll g s p is s, ’ e r n e r s was constantly exercis d du i g H n y III . reign and during the ’
ea er or o of o . the e of r e rli p ti n his s n s But, by statut Edwa d I . intitul d Con rma tio Chartarum r a e ro er was ec re ro ro a fi , all p iv t p p ty s u d f m y l sp oliation and placed under the safeguard of the great council of all the re m The a er a or o of a e are as o o al . m t i l p ti ns that st tut f ll ws
CO N FIRM A TIO C HA RTA RU M .
O O DV A V U E . NN I GESIMO ! INT . I
CAP . V . And f or so m uch as divers p e ople of our realm are in fe ar that the aids and tasks h ch e a e i ento us e ore m e o ar our ar and o e r b u e w i th y h v g y b f ti , t w ds w s th sin ss, of e r own ra and oo o oe er e ere m a e m ur to a o a th i g nt g d will (h ws v th y w d ), ight t n b nd ge to e m and e r e r e cau e e m b e at a o er m e ou the ro th th i h i s b s th y ight n th ti f nd in lls , and l e e f or the ri e a e rou ou the rea m our am e o ik wis p s s t k n th gh t l , in n , by ur mi i er we a e ra e f or us and our e r a we a not ra uc a n st s h v g nt d h i s th t sh ll d w s h ids, a nor r e o a cu tom f or a i a a h ee o e ere o ore be t sks, p is s, int s nyth ng th t h t b n d n h t f , it by e e a m a b e f unden roll or any other pre c d nt th t y o .
P CA . VI . ore o er we a e ra e f or us and our e r as el to arc o o M v , h v g nt d h i s , w l hbish ps, bish ps, a o r or and o er o of o c urc as a o to ear aro and to all the bb ts, p i s, th f lk h ly h h, ls ls, b ns, c omm o a of the a a f or no b u e rom e ce or we shall take such n lty l nd, th t sin ss f th n f th manner o aids tasks nor rises but b the commonassent o al l the rea lm and or f , , p , y f , f mon ro ereo a the c e a and r e due and accu om e the om a . c p fit th f, s ving n i nt ids p is s st d
L et us now p aus e and consider how f ar the great constitutional prin
i le s a o e e era e are reco e or e e r er . c p b v num t d, gnis d establish d in thes Cha t s r ce e c e ar reco ni e the a or of an ere In the fi st pla , th y l ly g s uth ity H di The re ea e e re o e of the i ra tary Sovereign . p t d xp ssi ns in th m K ng g nting
d eir are e e e ffi c e to ro e h . f or himself an his h s, th ms lv s su i nt p v t is o n but ro o ro e r n the dl e nly in Engla d, th ugh ut Eu p , du i g mid a the e e e of r e Suzérain e e ar r s ges, xist nc a pe man nt , v st d with l ge ight
“ ” oiaum e The ers o o ur s a u e oo om Par comm un asse nt de tut l e r . v i n in t t t b k its ” the m or a o i p t nt w rd All . T S A DITA A N D I IT 20 HE ENGLI H MON RCHY HERE RY L M ED .
of e er o a ro r e ar c arac er o r sa o a mix d p s n l and p p i t y h t ve his vas ls, th ugh ” ec a o to cer a o a o o ar em was a a r um subj t ls t in blig ti ns t w ds th , lw ys p es ed ’le as n e a ec r f or the e ce of o ca societ The i disp ns bly n essa y xisten p liti l y . rights of the chief were always conceived as constituting a Sta tus a ar e er conerre or a the ra nor re oca e at p t, and n ith f d igin lly by g nt, v bl the e re of o se o er o e ere e erc e e of pl asu th v wh m th y w x is d . This vi w the essential nature of p olitical authority was a p oint in which all the ree rea e e of o er ro ea societ J— the e o c the th g t lem nts m d n Eu p n y T ut ni , Rom an ‘ and the r a all co c rre ou eac ina ff ere d Ch isti n, n u d, th gh h di nt ” i m di a n way and with d ff erent o fic tions . Thus in E gland we find the a o co r n to re a e em er o e com ac n ti n nstantly st ivi g gul t and t p , by s l mn p t and the o er of Ro a c e e er a e n ear laws, p w its y l hi f, but n v tt mpti g, in ly th e to e e e e e ce of a Ro a c e . e e tim s, disp ns with xist n y l hi f Ev n wh n the o re e e ro e erfid of a o ar ce pp ssiv n ss and p v d p y individu l m n chs indu d the a o to a e a rac ca o er rom e and to c oo e an n ti n t k way p ti l p w f th m, h s e ec e oar who o r e e r am e c ro o how x utiv b d, sh uld ul in th i n , su h p visi ns, e er ece ar ere a a co ere and e e to b e of a em orar v n ss y, w lw ys nsid d d sign d t p y
a re . N or e e e ere o em e o e as the ca e n tu v n wh n kings w s l nly d p s d, in s s
of the eco ar and the eco R c r was n e er a a e . s nd Edw d s nd i ha d, ki gship v ss il d new o ere was a ace the roo of the e o e one A S v ign inst ntly pl d in m d p s d , or er a the a o m not b e e r e f or o of the in d th t. n ti n ight d p iv d a m ment was r c o e a di o arc ca ea a e o c e a e . m n hi l h d, th t k n d p liti lly in sp ns bl an e ac f a h The eace e d ce o o r I . o e p abl undisput d ssi n Edw d , th ugh was f a a ro a at the e of the ea of r r e . dist nt f m Engl nd tim d th H n y III , e a e not o ha the cro was ered ar the ro a a st blish d nly t t wn h it y in y l f mily, but also that it was hereditary according to the principles of descent a e r a e er a c which regul t a p iv t inh it n e . I Fro a has ee a o e a e a o a ear c ear a a m wh t b n b v st t d, it ls pp s l ly th t it is l c our co u r o i j imited S overeignty whi h nstit tion thus ec gn ses . Although the o er e of our o - Norm a was ac e rem e g v nm nt Angl n kings , in f t, xt ly ar rar e e er ere o e e er o er or em e e bit y, th y n v w supp s d ith by th s, by th s lv s, to b e o e rre o e or of the e and ro er e of e r abs lut , i sp nsibl l ds liv s p p ti s th i he a m m o ec e e o of t er or . o co subj ts, lik the d sp ts E st n W ld But, th ugh by n understanding the king was bound to consul t his Great Council b efore a e new a or e ac e re a e and o the er e e ce he m d l ws x t d f sh t x s, th ugh v y ss n f e o e a rec roc of e e ee or and a a o f udalism inv lv d ip ity duti s b tw n l d v ss l, the c ec onro a ca r ce and ro a o re o ere a a a e h ks y l p i y l pp ssi n w lw ys v gu , c a e ore the e oc of the Grea ar er From and frequently ineff e tu l b f p h t Ch t . that time forward the limitations of the royal prerogative were numis
’ n e di of re e ce v ol . . . 13 et se . the re e c o o th s See G rote s History G , iii , pp , q fl ti ns e a com are its re e r a o edi e a c ontinuance of Kingship in H ll s, p d with p s v ti n in M v l
Euro e e er e ana e e eru a . p , d s v tt ntiv p s l om a The ue ce of R e u ca om e e her E . the Im eria l . I . , p R n infl n p bli n R , wh n or and era ure ere am ar se to uro e the re v a of c a ca u e hist y lit t w f ili i d E p by iv l l ssi l st di s, a was anything b ut Monarchic l . w I}: The form of popular conse nt expresse d at the Coronation as long considere d a e The e r to the ro e had an c oa e ri ne cessary to com plete the roy l titl . h i th n in h t ght ’ is re ece or ea b ut his re a e rom h s coro a o . imm e diately onh p d ss s d th, ign d t d f i n ti n ’ S r a e rom the da our a a e r ar . e c uch was the case till Edw d I s ign, whi h d t d f y (f d ys ft ’ e r Il I s ea e the aro ore e a to him a e ce and H n y . d th,) wh n b ns sw f lty in his bs n , his — ’ 3 0 ] eace was roc a m e Se e Hallam s N otes to his M iddle A es . p p l i d . g , p o 21 ORIGIN OF PARLI AMENT .
ea e and e a e and e e Rex ecam e re constitu tak bl und ni bl , Sub l g b a su tional m a o ore c co a a er a e er o e e xim , th ugh f nsi sy ph nts in ft g s w e s m tim s e found who whisp ered its convers . Ne l et race the rea r c e of the o ere of a xt, us t g t p in ipl s v ign Engl nd e n b ou to um mo and co a ar iam e of ere ar e r b i g nd s n nsult p l nt h dit y p e s, th m and of electe d rep resentatives of e Com ons . m on all the a o of the G othic oc e er of c d A g n ti ns st k, wh th its S an i a a or of e o c ra c and all the o o e n vi n its T ut ni b n h, in kingd ms f und d by e m out of co ere Ro a ro ce cou c or em e of th nqu d m n p vin s, n ils ass bli s o e or e e o e co e the r c ie was o to o a s m f m xist d, wh s ns nt uling h f b und bt in, in order to legalise all imp ortant m easure s of State . Thus the Anglo a o had e r Witane em otes o e a c o new a ere S x ns th i g , with wh s s n ti n l ws w h e and the Th a e and new a e m o e . T e re a ames a e e m d , t x s i p s d P l t s tt nd d e a m e and the er or c a the eor o not th se sse bli s inf i l ss, C ls, th ugh r re re e e ere et ere not o ro c or advo di ectly p s nt d th , y w with ut p te t s and cate s inasm uch as certain of the magistrate s whom the m enof every borough and township regularly electe d from among themselves f or the r o e of oca e - o er m e ere re e at the a f or pu p s l l s lf g v n nt, w p s nt Wit n the purp ose of obtaining redress f or any wrong which might have been co m ed and f or the re re of c the ordi ar r a ere m itt , d ss whi h n y t ibun ls w a the a o o e e ua e . e o ce re e o in d q t Wh n n p s nt at Wit n, th ugh st nsibly nly f or the r o e of rem e a ce the eor a ra e m a e pu p s di l justi , C l m gist t s ust h v had some influence in other matters also : inasmuch as the cheerful co - op eration of the bulk of the com m unity in carrying any p articular ea re o eff ec e er canb e o t m a er a e e o e m su int t, n v th ugh im t i l v n by th s wh i The o - a o have the p ower of enforcing sullen obed ence . Angl S xon p olity was swept away by the conquering Norm ans but the recoll ec o of r a o direc em of re re e a o a ti n this vi tu l th ugh in t syst p s nt ti n, must h ve survived among the bulk of the p opulation ; and may hav e greatly facilitated the adoption and insured the good working of the sub sequent ar am e ar re re e a o of the o m p li nt y p s nt ti n C m ons . O f the o of the Norm a r or to e r com n to co r p lity ns, p i th i i g this unt y, a m o e to a an e o e e f or it is unh ppily i p ssibl g in y minut kn wl dg , the “ Recor of Nor a a e er : e ere e ro e ds m ndy h v p ished th y w d st y d, it is said by Richelieu ; and the archive s of Rouen aff o rd no information a e er c can e c a e the a c e co o of the c wh t v whi h lu id t n i nt nstituti n Du hy, aner or to the o r ee c o e er cer a n t i f u t nth Thus mu h is, h w v , t i , that there was a council of the Norm an barons which the Duke s were o e onall m r o c blig d i po tant c asions to summon and consult . It was not e a e o e e a wonthe cro of o r lik ly th t th y by wh s h lp Willi m wn this c unt y, and to o he arce e out a as re ar oul wh m p ll d its l nds w ds , w d consent to forego in their new abodes the p olitical rights which they had enj oyed
e r old o e acro the a e The o - Norm a i in th i h m s ss Ch nn l . Angl n k ng mm o e and co e rea co c he had o e il e ere su n d nsult d his g t un il, as d n wh m ly a or a Al l who N m n duke . held land by m ilitary tenure imm ediately of the ro had a r to a e and ere e ec e to a e the C wn, ight tt nd, w xp t d tt nd ’ co r onthe o em a of co c and al l e e ere ori a king s u t s l n d ys un il, th s w gin lly ’
e the aro . e e e e the re a e the e of styl d King s B ns B sid s th s , p l t s , and h ads
Pa ra e v l 6 o i. . 12 . lg v , . , p ' R O F LO RDs ORIGIN O THE HOUSE .
c e a e and r or e or ere as e er co r o the hi f bb ys p i i s f med h , in v y unt y f n e a ar f h r e o a e o t e Gre o il . N o o er Ch ist nd m, ss nti l p t at C unc th p ersons of any class whatever had the right to app ear there either in n o f r o or a r o re re e e . pe s n, by y s t p s ntativ
a o the r e m er of the e - in- c e re o of M ny am ng la g nu b t nants hi f, by as n e r com ara e o er the ce of e r e t e ro the c e th i p tiv p v ty, distan th i s at s f m iti s er the o c a co e e and o er ca e oo cea e wh e C un il was usu lly nv n d, th us s, s n s d to attend or to b e exp ected to attend as regularly as the m ore p owerful nd ea ere a o e . e e a oo er e the Grea er aro w lthy n bl s Th s l st w s n t m d t B ns, a e the e of eer aro c had r ee and ultim t ly, titl s P and B n, whi h fi st b n ’ com o to all the m e e ere ea of the m n King s im ediat t nants, w , in sp king o e er e c e e to the ea of f ew rea kingd m g n ally, x lusiv ly appli d h ds a g t o e who ar e e o e a and co em er of h us s, , l g ly nd w d with l nds, nstant m b s the Grea o c ere c ear a e r and cir t C un il, w l ly distinguish bl in ank in — um s an s r m h f he r r a - i race c t ce f o t e mass o t infe io ten nts nchief. T s ’ ’ of the di c o a ear e r er o re a stin ti n pp a li than J hn s ign, but in th t king s Great Charter the line is drawn decisively and broadly between these two o e c we m a a e ca o er ra eo o the b di s, whi h y s f ly ll, in m d n ph s l gy, ’ o and th Ge r h m the 14 c a er of o N bility e nt y of t e Real . By th h pt J hn s ar er the e or er to co e the Ge era Ch t , king binds hims lf in d nstitut n l o c f or the ra of ec ar ai a al b e m o e C un il g nt p uni y ds, th t it sh l sum n d “ s — We a ca e the rc o o A o ar thu sh ll us A hbish ps, Bish ps, bb ts, E ls and r a u g e ter B arons to b e s ep arately summ oned by o r letters . And we shall cause our sheriff s and bailiff s to summon generally all others who ” o hold f us in chief. the ear er ar of c a e we see di the or a of In li p t this l us , in sputably, igin l the er o e of our o er ar as was or a upp h us m d n P liament . And it thus igin lly com o e of o er u a o r the eer e a ra ec m e p s d p w f l l nd wne s, English P ag n tu lly b a n di a era o r e to a ff a ere r e e e e e c e ec . H t y P g , with ut any xp ss na tm nt th t t For the o er of e rea e e not e f or a a e a er , p w d vising l stat s did xist m ny g s ft the ra of the Grea ar er and o a e a o the con g nt t Ch t , alth ugh li n ti n with e of the or and o a n him a fine er e the s nt l d up n p yi g , was p mitt d by law, entire transfer of large estates by such means could seldom or never a e occ rre f or the m e and o o rea o a ere ere no h v u d, si pl bvi us s n, th t th w wealthy capitalists to come forward and b uy the whole lands of a m ighty re ore the e a e but im p overished baron at a single b argain . As the f st t s of the rea aro e ce e e er ro e r to e r and as eac g t b ns d s nd d g n ally f m h i h i , h heir oncoming into p o ssession had the sam e right as his predecessor to b e re e as a rea aro of the real the ea of ere ar e ce t at d g t b n m, id h dit y d s nt a r a a h t s f nd eor b ec m e g adu lly ssociate d with t e sta u O a peer. A this th y of o oo at a re a l e so f ar a our e a n bility by bl d l st p v i d , th t when kings b g n to m o r to m ee and co a o the aro m a who su m n by w it t nsult m ng b ns, ny had no ro a o e o e a o ere m a e o not ba ni l p ss ssi ns, thes ls w ulti t ly, th ugh w o c cre a c of o o and rre r of rac ce e ith ut mu h dis p n y pini n i gula ity p ti , h ld to a e re e e an ere ar er the am e a r e of h v c iv d h dit y p e age . And s tt ibut a e hereditary transmissibility applied also to peerage created by p t nt . Howf ar the latter part of the clause shows the germ of ourHouse of C om nthe O o we o re re ore co er o . e e a o m ns, qui s m nsid ati n It d p nds, m inly, pini n form resp ecting the antiquity of the system of the mass of these inferior land - holders in each county electing some of their num ber to repre sent
B B . TWO OROUGH MEM ERS THE HOUSES .
o e who o a e a ar er had d e e to e J hn . Th y bt in d th t Ch t , sign d giv the citiz ens and burghers of England the same protection from royal
- i i e ro rapacity which they exacted f or the land holders . Th s is ev d nt f m “ ’ the Articuli Magnae the rough draft of the barons stipu l ations a e ore o at R m e e and to c he a e e l id b f King J hn unny d , whi h ss nt d n a er eal . the 3 2 d of e e ar c e a ter the ro o a und s In th s ti l s, f p visi n g inst the ev of c e or a a e co e of the e eral co c of l y s utag s ids, s v by ns nt g n un il the rea ere a e the m or an or e a er b e lm, w dd d i p t t w ds, And in lik m nn it done respecting the tallage s and aids of and from the city of London m e e o er c e . rou o e a e ec or a oe re and th iti s Th gh s un xpl in d n gl t m n uv , these imp ortant words were om itted when the Charter was formally drawn up : and the citie s and towns were left exposed to the exactions f n r th a o co c o e r e a O re or o a o ec o e . th i f ud l pp ss s, with ut y p t ti n in n ti nal un il Sim on de Montfort was the first state sm an who p erceived and ful ly appreciate d the growing im p ortance of the comm ercial m iddle classes n a The a ce om e m e a er e of oro re re e a in E gl nd . inst n s s ti s ss t d b ugh p s nt o e ore e are o ca and r o to the ti n b f his tim , b th s nty spu i us but ’ ar am e m o e e r a e a er the a e of P li nt sum n d by him in H n y s n m , ft b ttl e e 1264 two r e e ere re ur e f or e er r eac L w s, , bu g ss s w t n d v y bu gh in h h f or o co t e r or c are re er e . De o o unty, w its whi h still p s v d M ntf t s n p erished in the vicissitude o f civil war but his reform measure p erished nt him The c or o ro a e the o c of ra c o with . vi t i us y lists f lt p li y enf n hising th radi m m f h a ar am e con t b e sum e t ng co unity o t e l nd . P li nts tinued o ’ ne a an e at nfia i m o d on De o or d e the C o rm t o M ntf t s pl n, wh n l ngth h ar h C artarum the 25 th ear of I . t e e ac e c , in y Edw d , by n tm nts whi h a e a o e ee o e m a e the co e of ar a ent ece ar to h v b v b n qu t d , d ns nt P li m n ss y
the e of tall ia es . of e and eff ec of all a e the l vy g , subsidi s, , in t, t x s, pre sence of the burge sses in the Parliaments of England becam e thence ar e a n a forw d e ss nti l a d indisp ens ble . The division of our Parliament into two Houses is foreshadowe d in ’ the distinction drawn by John s Charter b etween the Great Barons and the er or e a ro e a f or a the r re e a inf i t n nts in chief. P vid nti lly Engl nd ep s nt tiv es of e e a the of the re co e ce the orou th s l st, knights shi , al s d with b gh representative s ; and though some tim e elapsed before any certain e was m a a e e ecam e the o n re re e a e of the syst m int in d, th y b j i t p s nt tiv s om m o of n a ea th e Grea aro to orm o e er C ns E gl nd, l ving t B ns f t g th with a e nd a ra The e the prelate s separat senate a sepa te order. ben fits of n a a She ha had th a a this to E gl nd have b een incal cul ble . s e dv ntage of nd ha no ee r a e n f th a o a s t c e o e . O e o e ro n bility, b n u s d with n bl ss p ud “ ” e c e c e of our a a e a the erm Ro r er untrans d fi i n i s l ngu g is, th t t tu i is ' l ateabl e into n a a r and . e o e rem ar ro E glish As H ll m t uly l qu ntly ks, f m th re of e r a ea th l ra e . t e e a e a of al of ign H n y III l st, l g l qu lity nks [ freem en] b elow the p eerage was to every e ssential purp ose as com
l ete as at re e . a o ar cul ar a the p p s nt Wh t is m st p ti , is th t n r i e eera e e co er o e e ce on ac ua o e or. p g its lf nf s p iv l g , x pt its t l p ss ss The o of eer as we e o are co o er and o a s ns p s, w ll kn w, mm n s, t t lly
u e of an e a r e o - re destit t y l g l ight b y nd a barren pre em inence . The is no p art of our constitution so admirable as this equality of civil
See em at e B ack o e onthe ar e r 1 et se . th l ngth in l st n Ch t , pp , , q 25 A A P S T IA BY J . H BE S COR U . R L URY
r isonomia c the o o er of c e Gr ece o ights, this , whi h phil s ph s an i nt e nly r m ro the e our hope d to find in democratical gove n ent. F m b ginning cr e not the e e an l aw has b een no respecter of persons . It s e ns g ntl m of a ea e rom the d m en of an or i ar r nor ro ncient lin g f ju g t d n y ju y, f m er not e r e om no u m e . co e co er o ign i i us p nish nt It nf s , it n v did nf , th s unj ust im munitie s from public burthens which the superior orders em o the o e e h arrogated to th selve s up n C ntin nt . Thus whil t e privi e e of our eer as ere ar e a or of ree eo e are l g s p s, h dit y l gisl t s a f p pl , com ara ore a a e and fi e e r a re e are in p bly m v lu bl digni d in th i n tu , th y f ar less invidious in their exercise than tho se of any o ther nobility in fi r a e to h ec l ar a ro e . I am rm e em ocr ca Eu p It is, ly p su d d, t is p u i ly d ti l character of the English monarchy that we are indebted f or its long nd e e erm a e ce re ar m ro em e a r o r. p n n , its gul i p v nt, its p s nt vig u It is ul ar a ro e a c rc ce a an a e e the a sing , p vid nti l i umstan th t in g wh n ra m arc of c l a o and o erce was so e or ee our g dual h ivi is ti n c mm littl f es n, a ce or e a i rom the a e of e o r co r e o n st s, d vi t ng f us g s n ighb u ing unt i s, sh uld, as e era e e ar e a a a e a e orc c if d lib t ly, hav gu d d g inst th t xp nsiv f e whi h in r ro o c e i ro e o o e c er bu sting th ugh bsta l s mp vid ntly pp s d, has s att ed ” havoc over Europ e . The last great principles of our Constitution relate to the A dminis trationof ce O ne m a m ee the er or of Justi . xi has b n stated in v y w ds the Great Charter and the solemn declaration and covenant of the o ere as c e a ra e and rem e or of all ic a ro s v ign, hi f m gist t sup l d jud i l p n t b o r e a e re re ceedin s a ce a o e o no co m e . g , th t justi sh ll s ld d l y d, qui s m nt o g our e a re orm er o do e to co er how f ar the Th u h, l g l f s w uld w ll nsid
rac ce of ak or a f or dic a r and e ac co r - ee p ti m ing suit s p y ju i l w its, x ting u t f s on trials is in accordance with the great constitutional canon ; and ’ ’ though the law s delay continues as in Shakspeare s time to form one of the curses of hum anity to an extent never contem plated at
R m e e . The e r . ro ar rar m r o m e and the o er unny d s cu ity f m bit y i p is n nt, th rea co o a r c e a of r a r c a our m o g t nstituti n l p in ipl , th t T i l by Ju y, l im st ear e a e o o on acco n of e r er a r c ca im n st tt nti n, b th u t th i univ s l p a ti l or a ce and rea o of the e d e c now o a ar r p t n , by s n t n n y sh wn in m ny qu te s
ara e and ar a o - e era e e f to disp g disc d th t l ng v n t d syst m o trial . The great wo rds of the Great Charter— worth all the classics to ’ or a a — ic a e ro ec e f or ce r e L d Ch th m s mind wh h h v p t t d six ntu i s, and still protect the p ersonal liberty and property of all freem en have e a rea e an b e to o e re e o e e r c o ea e . o b n l dy qu t d, but n v ft n p t d N ree a a b e a e or m r o e or b e e of ree o f m n sh ll t k n, i p is n d, diss ised his f h ld, or er e or ree c o or b e o a e or e e or an o er lib ti s, f ust ms, utl w d xil d, y th w e e ro e nor w a o him nor co em is d st y d ill we p ss up n , nd n him, but a u e of th l aw f th eer or e o e a . We by l wf l judgm nt his p s, by l nd will e to no m an we not e or e er to an m an ce or s ll , will d ny d f y justi ” right . “ o o a a a a e e or i er re e It is bvi us, s ys H ll m, th t th s w ds, nt p t d by an hone st co r of law co e an a e ec r f or the two a y u t , nv y mpl s u ity m in ’
r of c oc e . From the ae ra ere ore of oh ights ivil s i ty , th f , King J n s Charter it must have b een a clear principle in our constitution that
no m ancanb e detained in prison without trial . Whether courts of justice framed the writ of Habeas Corpus in conf ormity to the spirit IA BY J T A - A TR L URY ; NO NGLO S XON .
of hi c a e or o rea e r re er eca e t s l us , f und it al dy in th i gist , it b m from i ht of e er ec t a aera the r . o em a . a r ren th t g v y subj t d nd it Th t w it, ac e re edial the f ere ore a e o ar e . d d m tiv ly m by st tut Ch l s II , but o e o the roa of ar a the r f und d up n b d basis Magna Ch t , is p incipal bul wark of English liberty ; and if ever tem porary circum stances or the doubtful plea of political nece ssity shall lead m ento look onits e al a a the m o di r r f u d ni with p thy, st stinguishing cha acte istic o o r ” b e eff ac constitution will e d . re e to r a r the or of the ar er the With sp ct T i l by Ju y, w ds Ch t , by ” a m e of eer er le a le ud icium arium sacr m l wful judg nt his p s, (p g j p u ) a e e era ee n er oo to re er to to e a h v g n lly b n u d st d f it, and st blish this m ode of trial as the constitutional birthright of every Englishm an when p ro secuted in the name of the sovereign onany charge of a criminal a re o e r er o e er of em e ear a e rea e n tu . S m w it s, h w v , in nt l ning, h v t t d this supp osition as a m ere vulgar error ; and deny that the j udicium arium has an re ere ce a e er to r a ur Th e ec e p y f n wh t v t i l by J y . subj t w ll deserve s investigation ; and it certainly involves not a mere p oint of e arc aeo o or of ore c r c ce a co o a ue o of l gal h l gy f nsi p a ti , but nstituti n l q sti n the m o o em or er ere an a or a to the st s l n d . W y uth ity w nting justify rea rea dic a e o as a co o a one o t ting this g t ju i l qu sti n nstituti n l , I w uld re er to the re e of o o ca and o ca r er to f g at st all phil s phi l p liti l w it s,
I l maestro di color che 8 0 mm ,
who tells us that every Constitution is divisible into three b ranches — e er e 2ndl the e e and 3 rdl the l st, the D lib ativ , y, Ex cutiv , y, J r al r the er e e c we er a T i by Ju y, in lit al s ns in whi h usually und st nd it, a to sa r a e e m en or to re r a er c e r th t is y, t i l by tw lv sw n tu n v di t d te mining the or oce ce of the acc e ar was certa not e era guilt inn n us d p ty, inly g n lly ro e o n a at the oc of the Gre ar er to int duc d int E gl nd ep h at Ch t . It is be o e a f ew e ca e m enat the re e e ce car oo ai er h p d th t du t d p s nt day, x pt t n p nt s, b elieve in the silly story of its having b een aninv ention of th e great
he o- a o e of cr a di a re had ee the Alfred . T Angl S x n syst m imin l ju c tu ind d rea r c e of r m en c e ore a o ar r a and g t p in ipl s t ying publi ly b f p pul t ibun l, not p erm itting their fate to b e dep endent onthe judgment or caprice of a fi h e r c e are a o e e i a r e ny of cer of t e crown . Th se p in ipl s ls ss nt al tt ibut s of r a r and the ro c o of a em ho o T i l by Ju y, int du ti n th t syst was wit ut d ubt facilitated by its b eing thus congenial to the old feelings and custom s of
- the m a f the o a o - an o a o cr a r al oo ss o p pul ti n . But Angl S x n imin l t i t k ace not e ore e e or m en or o r e e u er pl , b f tw lv sw n , any the d finit n mb , but in pre sence of all the assembled m emb ers of the hundred or the county o r the a er e the r a e ore c m o r m al c r e c u t, l tt b ing t ibun l b f whi h st c i in ha g s h er of he c e the re ere e erm e . t e a o t o r w d t in d All l nd wn s unty, und p si “ f th r ff and m ere S c e e o e e o or e co r . e e d n y sh i bish p , f d this u t Th y w its ”
tatores or or . e all oo ar or had a r to a e ar a , suit s Th y t k p t, ight t k p t, in cr m a r a and e all looked onto see e er the a e roo i in l t i l, th y wh th stipul t d p f n f or a of or oce ce was e . sa e looked o r guilt inn n giv n I y th y , th t te m implies more accurately the functions of the county court suitors in a
’ ‘ ' ' ‘ ! /oy we ) 7 661} in/a w V e v vé a m . p c uopwt T E6V 1roM reLcBV d wV. E p r 7 0 Bo A e p e — B / 0 lzt. l v 1 Po . . e r e ) 7 643 d . r rréz 85 7 1 7 6 8lxa ov. A ris totle p pa p § , , l l , NAT O F A A CRIM IN A T I URE S XON L R AL . 27
o cr r a an or c o e the e of anc Sax n iminal t i l, than y w d whi h inv lv s id a bal ing
e i o or of r u rom a are c to er a ac . t st m ny, a g ing f pp nt fa t inf enti l f t This aro e rom the m of the a o u r r e ce a r s f syste S x n j isp ud n m king a t ial, as * a ra e rul rem ar ra er of the a re of an ar e ca P lg v t y ks, th n tu ithm ti l ca c l a o o r a c em c e er m e a a we now un er ta l u ti n, h i al xp i nt, th n wh t d s nd
the r a of a ca e . cer or o e ro and by t i l us A tain f m was g n th ugh, cordi to re u c was a a a a e and e ac ng its s lt, whi h lw ys p lp bl d cisive one ” wa o r the o er the acc er o was o n i or ac . y th , used p s n f u d gu lty quitted This is in no degree an exaggerated account of the Anglo - Saxon system of r of e er e er the ro c o of com r a or r the t ying f nd s, ith by p du ti n pu g t s, o by or e . the r of e e o e the cc e ar was re re to d al In fi st th s m d s, a us d p ty qui d pro duce neighb ours to swear to their belief in his innocence ; and the ’ eff ect of such neighb ours oaths was e stimated not by the m eans of o e e o e e the e o e or e r c aracter or e e kn wl dg p ss ss d by d p n nts, by th i h s, v n “ ” e r m er eir or the o - a o ca of by th i nu b , but by th w th in Angl S x n s le ’ p ersons ; according to which an eorl s oath was e qual to the oaths of n n h a c ar r e ceor a d so o . t e c o ce the r six ls, If used p ty p du d quisite amount of oath (whi ch was in every cas e rigorously defined by a r o e a a h was set re a e r ff e e . re a cu i usly minut p n l t i ), f If the gg g te a e of the o of co r a or e e o re cr e v lu aths his mpu g t s f ll b l w the p s ib d sum, he was ro o c the acc e er o e o p n un ed guilty . If us d p s n put hims lf up n the r a ordea e of hot ro c he to ear or t i l by l, the w ight the i n whi h was b , the e to hic he was to e arm o the hot er scru d pth w h plung his int wat , was ul ou he w h m sl re b t la . T e a oo e r a p y p appointed y sse bly l k d on. In t i l co r a o e a e am o of the oa r by mpu g ti n, th y dd d up the unt ths ; in t ial by or ea e a c e the eff ec of the hot ro or hot a er o d l, th y w t h d t i n w t up n the ’
u r and a all c t had to do . + For c c lp it s skin, th t was whi h hey su h functions the tum ul tuary assembly of the county court was fit enough ; o a e ee o a e a e e com r o but it w uld h v b n wh lly in d qu t , wh n pu gati n and or ea ere a o h to a e the e r e e of r d l w b lis ed, ssum high d libe ativ duti s inqui ing o and com ar e e ce f or c a the r a r int p ing vid n , whi h, h ppily, T i l by Ju y has ro e so ff p v d e icient . For rea i o we are e e not so c to our a o this g t nstituti n ind bt d, mu h S x n as to our Normanan cestors ; and this alone ought to make us regard the Norm co e of a an a e e to a an nqu st this isl nd as ultim t bl ssing its inh bitants . Nor a e e r l a e c the acc e and the In m ndy (b sid s T ia by B ttl , in whi h us d cc er or o e f ew ca es e r c m o e e e r ff ere ce a us , in s m s th i ha pi ns, s ttl d th i di n s m or a co a cr a c ar e ere r e as ol o z— A n e in t l mb t, ) imin l h g s w t i d f l ws inqu st ” of twenty- four good and lawful m en was summoned from the neigh b ourhood er h he e had e wh e t e m urder or t th ft be n committed . Th ese “ ” ere the ura or Juratores so ca e ro the oa e oo to w J ti, , ll d f m th th y t k e the r Th o ir e the or a l a sp ak t uth . e ffi cer is d ect d by N m n w to select o e who are e e e to b e e orm e of the r of the a r th s b li v d b st inf d t uth m tte ,
’ ra or of the See Palg ve s Hist y English Com m onwealth .
See a ra e u t su ra . m u not o e er b e u o e a ca e of P lg v p It st , h w v , s pp s d th t in s s flagrant guil t the off ender was allowe d the cha nce of e scaping through the perj ury of com ur a or or the u e r c was re ue inthe or ea . the co rar p g t s j ggl y whi h f q nt d l On nt y, the a er who was ou e ar the ee cor e or the e who was a e on sl y f nd n bl ding s , thi f t k n
re u u o of the oo hond - ha nd and back- M end was run f sh p rs it in po sse ssi n b ty, be , st g u e ou p without ce re m ony to the near st b gh . A RIA BY NORM N T L JURY .
e and how it happ ned . None were to b e adduced who were known e or ec are e em e of e er ar e ore the fri nds d l d n i s ith p ty . B f culprit was ut u o r a re m r e was a e o r who p p n his t i l, a p li ina y inqu st t k n by f u knights, were questione d concerning their belief of his guilt ; and in their
the ffie - re e ce o c r a er ar nerro a e the en o r ror not p s n ft w ds i t g t d tw ty f u ju s, one o e ara e r m a o e c o er. re a m e in b dy, but s p t ly f h th They we then sse bl d and co ro e i the c r who co c a e e an one f or nf nt d w th ulp it, uld h ll ng y lawful ca e and the c a e e was a o e the e m o of a ror was us , if h ll ng ll w d, t sti ny th t ju The r of e u re ec e . e c r or e e recor e the j t d p siding fi , j dg , th n d d verdict f the ror c e at a er re u o e e re to co c r. ju s, in whi h tw nty l st w q i d n u ” We ear rom the Gra o m er a e cr o of the l aw l n this f nd C ustu i , d s ipti n of Nor a r e ear a o the e of o and a e e ore m ndy, w itt n n ly b ut tim J hn, littl b f the e ara o of the uc rom the cro The re e s p ti n D hy f English wn . p t xt, o e m e set a re re e o - a o a m or e o s m ti s up , th t it p s nts Angl S x n l ws i p t d int Nor a and not a of Norm or a er o n e and m ndy, l ws an igin l, is utt ly unf u d d a r e roo bsu d . D ecisiv p f indeed of the Continental origin of our Trial Jur m a b e o n inthe a ar e of the ear Fra by y y f u d C pitul i s ly nkish kings, which we know Duke Rollo to hav e largely use d in regulating the o of new c the a ar e rec a instituti ns his Du hy . Thus, C pitul i s di t, th t h f a cr a a r t r r f or t e ec o o c r e o e e . e . o d isi n imin l h g , Sw n Witn ss s ( Ju s) a b e m m o e rom the e a e b e e e er sh ll su n d f Visn ; th t th y tw lv in numb , not to b e c a en e o a u ca e and to b e e wi o h ll g d with ut l wf l us , k pt th ut meat r r e e e r er c o d ink till th y giv th i v di t . The ro c o o a of r r a as e as of the int du ti n int Engl nd this Ju y t i l, w ll r a a e was a ra a o re the Norm a e who t i l by b ttl , n tu lly f v u d by n Judg s ’ p re sided over the Royal Courts after the Conquest : and the king s era o r c ere was no a em a e of oc em er oo Itin nt C u ts, in whi h th ss bl g l al m b s, s n assum ed the functions of trying many of the cases which had previously e at he o o r The orm a e era a o e r a b een tri d t C unty C u ts . N ns g n lly b lish d t i l o r a or cr m a ca e and o the r a O r eal o by C mpu g t s, in i in l s s ; th ugh t i l by d l ng co e orce m en at e e a to re ar rue ntinu d in f , l ngth b g n g d it in its t light
f an m a r and of a not u re e e e of ra . o i pious bsu dity, nf qu nt ngin f ud th a c he e the r a e e e r . e H n y II , by l ws in whi h institut d t i l by tw lv or cer a c ca e ere rea ro er was the sw n knights , in t in ivil us s, wh l p p ty ’ e of di e am ar e m e m m ore and ore the subj ct sput , f ili is d n s inds m with n rac ce o f ur r a and the m ore was o the theory a d p ti J y t i l ; it kn wn, a e Re ea e a ce canb e race the re of m ore it was v lu d . p t d inst n s t d, in igns o of acc e er o e r e r e oncr al c r e his s ns , us d p s ns b ing t i d by Ju i s imin ha g s, o e of r a e a of m o e to the n e e f or which m d t i l th y p id a sum n y ki g, vid ntly h 1 h n as a a a e r e e . e t e ear 12 5 t e regardi g it v lu bl p ivil g At l ngth, in y , ore the of a na ar a the o c of a era ro year bef signing M g Ch t , C un il L t n p hibited the further continuance of trial by ordeal throughout Christen dom and the a o o of r al r eca e a o a enera , d pti n t i by Ju y b m un v id bly g l in a ord er to o e of the ero c a of ca e ere the Engl nd, in disp s num us l ss s s wh as re erre not an nure a a a the c r charge w p f d, by i j d individu l g inst ulp it in of an ea the Gre e of the o our the form App l, but by at Inqu st C unty (
G r the or of a re e m e . For of co r e modern rand Ju y) in f m p s nt nt , u s , it was an acc a e a a the r a was only where there using pp ll nt, th t t i l by er wa f or a o m e no o e of com o e . e s battle was p ssibl Still, th l ng ti m d
o r to e onthe co r i . e . to co m the p elling a pris ne put hims lf unt y, m it 29 TRIAL BY J URY ORIGINALLY TRI AL BY WITNESSES .
f ui or oce c to e e or m en o e question o his g lt inn n e tw lv sw n , summ n d ’ l w n the Peine orte rom h o r oo . ar . a c f t e neighb u h d Edw d I s , infli ti g f ” et dure o n r o ers who re e to ea was a e to o a e , p is n fus d pl d, p ss d bvi t this was not o e er com e e ot rid of i the diffi culty ; which , h w v , pl t ly g t ll reign of George III . ur was or a o Nor a ere ana ea Trial by J y igin lly, b th in m ndy and h , pp l e o r he r e e so as to to the knowledge of th c unt y . T Ju ors wer select d ins ure the attendance of those who knew m o st of the transaction . e a e er c ro e r own o e e of the ca e and not ro Th y g v a v di t f m th i kn wl dg s , f m
ar the e m o of o er . Gra ua o e er a c a e oo he ing t sti ny th s d lly, h w v , h ng t k m e a e e s ee re ec . r oc r e c c a place in this sp t At fi st, d u nt y vid n , su h d ds, wi onthe m a er e ere erm e r r &c . ro cha te s , , th ng light tt in disput , w p itt d to b e a e ore the ror . The e m ro em e was to ro ce l id b f Ju s ! n xt i p v nt int du d o e m o of er o o er a the ror who co the rin c ce t sti ny p s ns, th th n ju s, uld th r h give any inform ation as to e t ue circumstance s of t e cas e . By e ree ecam the e e ce on c and not on r a d g s this b e vid n , whi h, any p iv te o e e of e r own ror ere or as re e to e e r kn wl dg th i , ju s w sw n, at p s nt, giv th i c a was o or e out c or cr m a ro verdict . This h nge sl wly w k d in ivil i in l p ceedings and the forms of our law at this moment b ear abundant elé s s trace s of the original function of a jury having b een that of witnes e . To return to Magna Charta ; some of those who deny the applica of 2 th c a er to r a r er a the e re o bilif y its 9 h pt T i l by Ju y, und st nd xp ssi n ’ re ec r a o e eer to re er to the old o o r in it sp ting t i l by n s p s, f C unty C u t cr a ca re c a r e cer r be ore imin l judi tu , in whi h f e man tainly was t ied f , if
Th e se views and proofs re specting the Norm an origin of Trial by Jury have be e n ’ ” ee a Re e v e or f e w of a r c a a e rom a ra e . S o s s o th La p in ip lly t k n f P lg v ls Hist y Engl nd , ’ ” w m e e n h f l S e s e om ar o t e a o a l 5 8 . nd e N v o . . v o . i. a . 7 , t ph n C nt i s L ws Engl nd, iii p , n a e no t cu e e re e er the u e c of ra ur e or of r a b ur I h v dis ss d h ith s bj t G nd J i s, T i l y J y in civil case s re spe cting b oth of which am ple inform ation will b e found in Palgrave and Re e ves . m o a ua e o um e M r a am has u a eare co a i Su e A st v l bl v l by . H ll j st pp d, nt in ng ppl ” ” m e a No e to or of the e e co ai a o and ear e nt l t s his Hist y Middl Ag s . It nt ns l ng l n d ’ n e c of r a ur c o e o th u e t M r. a am u ra e e n t s bj t i l by j y, in whi h H ll f lly tifi s Palgrave s vi ws e r m a ur e ce of the o- Sa B o e e ea e of th c i in l j isprud n Angl xons . th th s gr t writ rs insist ro onthe m or a ce of the c o b e e e the or a uror who em st ngly i p t n distin ti n tw n igin l j s, th e e ere e e and the m o e r uror who orm e r o o onthe e i e ce s lv s w witn ss s, d n j s f th i pini n v d n
r u ar a M r. a am ou sa a o f o the s . It is sing l th t H ll sh ld y th t Sir Fran cis Palgrave has ” re e e r a ur a m a b e ca l e a new b o in out how p s nt d t i l by j y in wh t y l d light, y p int g it was originally a m ere e xam ination of witne sse s . That fact is one with which e very rac a er m u a a a e e e am ar rou its e orce u o his p tising l wy st lw ys h v b n f ili , th gh b ing f d p n o ce our law of e ue and the c a ca o of ac o nd ra r o oca a o . n ti by V n , l ssifi ti n ti ns int l l t nsit y ’ The au or e co e c e M r a am o e o a the re e m e of ro th iti s ll t d in . H ll s n t sh w th t p s nt od p ce dure e ore ur e e r ear the e e and cou e of ar e b f j i s, by th i h ing witn ss s ns l both p ti s in o e cour is at ea as old as the m e of the a ca r a ki So a e e o e p n t, l st ti s L n st i n ngs . th t v n th s who co e r a u i e e i c an e the c arac e r f he ur m e r nsid th t, nt l this ss nt al h g in h t o t j y fro th i or a f im ction of m ere e e oo k ace our ac ua r a ur ca o b e igin l witn ss s t pl , t l t i l by j y nn t a to a e e e m u co ce e t ana u of our e e e the s id h v xist d, st n d o it ntiq ity f c nturi s whil e rm of as we erce e was c ear coe al the e m of our o er r g it, p iv , l ly v with g r s th fi st national institutions . ’ M r a am o e co c u e ane u a a e n our ra . H ll s n t n l d s with ul ogi m nd wish re sp cti g g nd
r c e of r a of ac the c ou r in c ear e co cur . rom p in ipl t i l f ts by nt y, whi h I n stly n F this r c e e ce as to a re o erou re ic of ar ari m the re u re m e of p in ipl ( x pt th t p p st s l b b s , q i nt u a m m a we e er e r e— m a we e er b e c om e e or to er e n ni ity) y n v sw v y n v p ll d , wish, sw v a co e m of e r oa uror and a re ar of the u im of e r by nt pt th i ths in j s, dis g d j st l its th i “ trust” “ ” 3 0 A O F J D T O F PEERs IN A N A A TA ME NING U GMEN M G CH R .
e not by his brother fre men . But a decisive answer to this hypothesis o the ac a a a r had a e a a a is f und in f t th t M gn Cha ta just t k n w y, by re e n c a er the r of the er f to tr ea of th e c p c di g h pt , ight Sh i f y pl s rown at all and had an end to the cr m a ca re , thus put i in l judi tu of o u o r r the C nty C u t altogethe . It is therefore absurd to construe the 29th chapter as solem nly ordaining a mo de of trial which the 26 th r had o em o c a e e . The o er o e a h pt just s l nly ab lish d th hyp th sis is, th t the Grea r er ea of r al eer had e o e the t Cha t , in sp king t i by p s, in vi w s l ly Grea aro who as em er and eer of the rea o r of th t B ns, , m b s p s g t C u t e b r had r to e e ere e r eer . o e king, a ight t i d th by th i p s Und ubt dly, this clause gives a p eer of the land anindisputable right to a trial in the o e of or b ut am l ed to re ec the er re a o c o l H us L ds, I j t int p t ti n whi h w u d re r c the O er o of the c a to the eera e o a co era st i t p ati n l use p g nly, by nsid tion of the circum stances and documents connected with the p assing of the Grea ar er and c are co ec e ac o e the t Ch t , whi h ll t d by Bl kst n in e r work so often ref r ed to . o n o a m o e ore the o re at R m e e had King J h , ab ut nth b f C ng ss unny d , made a fruitle ss attem pt to detach the great barons from the f ormid a e a o a r a a him off er to e and e r m m e bl n ti n l ising g inst , by ing th m th i i a e o o er the r e c the 3 5 c a er of Gre di t f ll w s, p ivil ges whi h th h pt his at ’ ar a ar a re to e er re o Ch ter fterw ds ssu d v y f eman of the realm . J hn s * e er of roff ere co ro e are e ce and em he l tt s p d mp mis still in xisten , in th r e o a we a e r e to our aro who are w it s, Be it kn wn th t h v g ant d b ns a ai a we e er a e nor di e e or e r m en g nst us, th t will n ith t k ss ise th m th i , nor we a o e orce or ar e c the l aw of will p ss up n th m by f by ms, x ept by b th J ud m nt o th ir r our rea or e e e Peers inour Cou t &c . lm, y g f , “ ” The or our o r ere c ear r vi e of r a w ds in C u t, h l ly limit the p i l ge T i l ’ e r to the aro who a o e er e er of the i by P e s b ns, l n w e m mb s K ng s Had o r or co a e e r eer er to tr e . e e C u t, uld h v th i p s th e y th m th s or ee re ea the a o o c a e the Grea ar er w ds b n p ted in an l g us l us in t Ch t , the er re a o ic we are now con er n o e int p t ti n wh h sid i g, w uld hav th a ar a app eared irre sistibly correct . But e phraseology of M gna Ch t M a ar a B E O M O is e ff ere . NU L LU S L I R wid ly di nt gna Ch t says, H ”
m . dissaisietur &c . er e a e c m ar or , , nisi p l g l judi iu p ium sn u It is e e a the aro e e re ec e the s io O f er of o vid nt th t B ns, wh n th y j t d in id us f J hn, e to m a e e r re or a m ere c a r e ea of a and refus d k th i f m l ss int igu , inst d a a m o em e oo care so to a er the er of re great n tion l v nt, t k lt t ms this g at stipulation as to make it em brace all th e free com m unityd ‘ I
Se e Blacks tone . ’ ’ The recolle ction of this off er of J ohn s and of the Barons magnanim ity in ec i m a e us e e re ou e orce the ob e e u o um of or rej t ng it, k s f l, with d bl d f , n l l gi L d a am to ur a ce or m or — it to the aro a we Ch th It is yo n st s, y l ds, is English b ns th t r the a and co u o we o eir r ue ere ru e are indebte d f o l ws nstit ti n p sse ss . Th vi t s w d nd ere as and u cu a e b ut e ere rea a cere . e r u er a n ltiv t d, th y w g t sin Th i nd st ndings w “ e o e as eir m a er b ut e had ear to u r rom littl p lish d th nn s, th y h ts disting ish ight f wrong they had hea ds to distinguish truth from falsehood they understo od the nd e had r t um a a o ma a em . rights of h nity, th y spi it int in th or k a s or has not o e u ce to e r co uc e My l ds, I thin th t hi t y d n j sti th i nd t, wh n the y ob taine d from the ir sovere ign that great acknowle dgment of national rights a e Ma a ar a e not co e to em e e al o e but cont in d in gn Ch t ; th y did nfin it th s lv s n , he e e not sa e e e mm o b e to t o e e . deliv red it as a co n l ssing wh l p opl Th y did y, Th s
3 2 AT A T A NDA TA STIT TI A LA GRE CH R ER FU MEN L CON U ON L W.
m m ca by the terrors of exco uni tion from b reaking the great compact h eo between the crown and t e p ple . The m o st earnest eff orts were also em ploye d to m ake the Great Charter familiarly known throughout the a all as the com m o r r of all and the m l nd by , n bi th ight , ost stringent m ea re of law ere e e to h su s w d vis d insure t e prompt punishm ent of any who oul are to o a To sh d d vi l te it . quote aninstance or two of this the Con rm atio Cha rta rum 2 5 . a fi , I . r of c lrea by Ed (p t whi h has a dy ee c e was or a e a b n it d), it d in d th t
The e Charters of Lib rtie s and of the Forest shoul d b e ke pt in e very parish and ’ that the y should b e se nt under the king s seal as well to the j ustice s of the F ore st as to o er to al l er ff and o e r off cer and to all the c e the realm th s, sh i s th i s, iti s in , accom a e a writ c omm a em to u the a arter and e c are p ni d by nding th p blish s id Ch s, d l
to the eo e a the k had co rm e e m all o . u ce eri f p pl th t ing nfi d th in p ints All j sti s, sh f s, m a or and o er m er ere re c e to a o em e e a e y s, th inist s w di t d ll w th wh n pl d d b efore em and an u m e c o rar ere o was to b e u and o The ar e th y j dg nt nt y th t n ll v id . Ch t rs ’ were to b e se nt unde r the king s se al to all cathe dral churche s throughout the rea m ere to rem a and to b e re a to the e o e ce a- e ar was or a e l , th in , d p pl twi y , It d in d that all archbishops and bishops should pronounce sente nce of e xcom m unication a a o e who or e e or cou e co rar to the a ore a g inst th s , by w d, d d, ns l, did nt y f s id ” Charters .
“ ' ' the A rticulz su er Oartas e a e the 28 th By p , a statut p ss d in h ar b e rea the r ff o . I . t e ar er e or ere to e r Ed , Ch t s d d d by sh i s f u im e a ear e ore the eo e of the re o e o o r t s y , b f p pl shi in p n C unty C u t . the a e r er or a a f or the of off e r And st tut fu th d ins, th t punishing nde s a a the r er g inst Cha t s,
ere a b e c o e e er re cour b the comm o a of the am e Th sh ll h s n, in v y shi t, y n lty s re hre e u a ia m en k or o er a u e and e i o e shi , t s bst nt l , nights, th l wf l , wis , w ll d sp s d ’ er o c ou b e u ce or and a e the e er a e p s ns , whi h sh ld j sti s sw n ssign d by king s l tt s p t nt u er the re a ea to e ar and e erm e ou an o er r b ut o e r nd g t s l, h d t in with t y th w it, nly th i commi o uc a as a b e m a e u o all o e a com m or o ff e ssi n , s h pl ints sh ll d p n th s th t it nd a a an o c o a e the a ore a ar er the re e re e b e g inst y p int nt in d in f s id Ch t s, in shi s wh th y ’ a e as e ra c i es as ou and as e f or the off i cer ssign d, w ll within f n h s with t, w ll king s s out of their place s as f or o thers and to hear the plaints from day to d ay without an e a and to e erm e them without a o the e a c b e a o e y d l y, d t in , ll wing d l ys whi h ll w d m law the am e a a e o er to u all uc by the com on . And s knights sh ll h v p w p nish s h as shall b e attainte d of any tres pass done contrary to any p oint of the afore said w e re m m o law as e ore a Charte rs wh ere no rem edy as b fo by the co n , b f is s id, by ” r ra om or am erc am e accordi to the re a . impris onm ent, o by ns , by i nt, ng t sp ss
r o to e f or the er o of c A volume, p eci us Englishm n m its b th its subje t a or mi ea b e co ec e ro the a e r of and of its uth s, ght sily ll t d f m p n gy ists a a e al rea o e or a a and c Magna Chart . I h v dy qu t d L d Ch th m, I will ite f one a e m a m ore om e ec on cco here the words o only st t s n , wh I s l t a unt an or a as o o c o ca of his em inence as hist i n, and a phil s phi al and p liti l e o e o er a o are a o the m ore a a e f or inquirer. His l qu nt bs v ti ns ls v lu bl re eca e e orc o out the e e ce our con citation he , b us th y f ibly p int xist n in ro re e e o e the o er o of stitution of that law of p g ss and d v l pm nt, p ati n
t a e . Sir which it is one of the principal obj ects of these pages o illustr t James M ackintosh says of Magna Charta 0 f r1n1 les It was a peculiar advantage that the consequences o I ts p c p and ere if we m a so ea o di co ere ra a o . w , y sp k, nly s v d g du lly sl wly It m t of hb rt and gave out oneach occasion only as much of the sp e y ’ INT H I M O N THE AT CHA T 3 3 M A OK OS s EULOG U GRE R ER .
r or a io the c rc m a ce of cce n e era o re r ef m t n as i u st n s su edi g g n ti ns qui ed,
e e r. For a o fiv r and as their character would saf ly b a lm st e centu ies was a ea e to as the ec e a or on e al of the eo e it pp l d d isiv uth ity b h f p pl , m o l so f ar o as the ece e of eac ca e em a e though com n y nly n ssiti s h s d nd d . Its eff ect in these conte sts was not altogether unlike the grand pro cess by which nature em ploys snows and fro sts to cover her deli cate e m s and to er em ro r a o e the ear l the a o g r , hind th f m ising b v th ti l tm 8 here has acquired the mild and e qual temp erature which insure s nthe i na o o h em a a . O e t e t g inst blights Engl sh ti n, und ubt dly, Charter has contributed to b estow the union of e stablishm ent with “ o all m set the r exam e o th imp rovem ent . T ankind it fi st pl f e p ro r f a rea eo e f or ce r e e e r uar d g ess o g t p pl ntu i s, in bl nding th i tumult y e m ocracy and haughty nobility with a fluctuating and vaguely lim ite d m o arc so as at e h to or ro e e di cor a m a er a the n hy, l ngt f m f m th s s d nt t i ls only form of free governm ent which experience had shown to b e re oe er concil abl e with widely extended dominions . Wh v in any future ag e or yet unborn nation m ay admire the felicity of the exp edient c co er e the o er of a a o no the e of er whi h nv t d p w t x ti n i t shi ld lib ty, by which discretionary and s ecret imprisonm ent was rendere d im prac ticab l e or o of the eo e ere ra e to e erc e ar r , and p ti ns p pl w t in d x is a l ge share of judicial p ower than ever was allotte d to them inany other c l e a e c a m a er as to ec re ea of e a eri ivi is d st t , in su h nn s u , inst d nd ng ng, public tranquillity ; whoever exults at the Sp ectacle of enlightened and e e e n a em e c u er the e e of a e o rm e ind p nd t ss bli s, whi h, nd y w ll inf d a o c and e erm ne the a and o c i e y to a e com n ti n, dis uss d t i l ws p li y l k l m k m unities great and happy ; whoever is capable of comp rehending all the eff ects of such institutions with all their p o ssible imp rovem ents o the m and e of a eo e — acre o to ea up n ind g nius p pl , is s dly b und sp k w re ere a ra e of the a or of the GRE A T H A RTE R ith v nti l g titud uth s C . To a e ro ce to a e re er e to a e a re con h v p du d it, h v p s v d it, h v m tu d it, stitute the m m or a c a m of n a on the e eem of m a i t l l i E gl nd up st nkind . He r BA C O N s and H A K E S PE A R E S her I LTO N S and N E W TO N S S , M , with all the r c e a e re ea e and all th e e ero r t uth whi h th y h v v l d, g n us vi tue ic e a e re are of er or al e e com are wh h th y h v inspi d, inf i v u wh n p d with the ec o of m enand t e r r er to the r c e of ce subj ti n h i ul s p in ipl s justi , if, ee not ore r e a e e m r coul not ind d, it be m t u th t th s ighty spi its d have ee or e e ce er e a a nor ro e to ac b n f m d x pt und qu l l ws, us d full tivity with out the influence O f that spirit which the GRE A T C H A RTE R breathed ” o er e r ore a r v th i f f the s . It has b een shown in the preceding page s that the thirteenth century saw the com e cem e of our a o a and a r the rea m n nt n ti n lity, th t du ing it g t ou a o of our co o a oul b f nd ti ns nstituti n were l id . But it w d e ignorant rashness to assert that the o rganisation of our institutions was com l ete e e at the e of the ea a was a of the p v n tim d th of Edward I . Wh t s id Rom o o two of rea e a e and r e an C nstituti n by its g t st st tesm n, w itt n by o er m a a r b e a erre of the n — a no one an th , y with equ l t uth v d E glish, th t m an n n a e ffice f o * and o o e g su d r its full production . But its kindly
Tum ae u u c illud C atonis ce rtius nec tem oris u u ne c om n e e L li s , n n fit , p ni s, h i is ss ”— 1 con e . 2 stitutionem re i ublicae U cero De R ublic ci . . p . £ p , lib ii D E TIT TI D T P A TA T 3 4: TH CO NS U ON UN ER HE L N GEN E S . growth went rapidl y on during the reigns of the later Plantagenets or a of the a ce r e of the e e race and the hist i n l st ntu i s middl ag s, t s with pride and pleasure the in crease and systemisation of th e power of the House of Commons in asserting and maintaining the exclusive rig ht of taxation ; in making the grant of supplies dep endent onthe redress of grievances ; in directing and checking the public expenditure ; in e stab lishing the necessity of th e concurrence of b oth House s of Parliament in all legislation ; in securing the pe ople against illegal ordinances and interpolations of the statutes ; in inquiring into abuses ; in controlling the royal administration ; in impeaching and bringing to punishment bad ministers ; and in defining and upholding their ownimmunities and p rivileges . Hallam has admirably sketched the principal circumstance s in the polity of England at the accession of the Hous e of Tudor to the crown .
e e a c ec u o the r a au r fie um r — 1 The The o o ere v b e ss nti l h ks p n y l th ity w in n . k n coul e no or of ne w tax u o eo e e ce the ra of his i g d l vy s t p n his p pl , x pt by g nt ar am e co as e of o and m re a b o or or s r ua and p li nt, nsisting w ll bish ps it d b ts, l d spi it l, of eredi ar ee r or em ora or who sat and o e rom cuou the am e h t y p s t p l l ds, v t d p is sly in s c am er as of re re e a i e rom the ree o er of e ac cou and rom the h b , p s nt t v s f f h ld s h nty, f b ur e e of m an o and e c o era e ace orm the o er or com g ss s y t wns l ss nsid bl pl s, f ing l w ’ u e 2 The re ou as e and au or of the am e a em was m ons h o s . . p vi s s nt th ity s ss bly w l w a u e No e ce ar f or e er ne a e er of a e era or e m o ra r . 3 . n ss y v y , wh th g n l t p l n t m ancould b e com m itte d to priso n b ut by a le gal warrant sp e cifying his off ence and anu a e ear a am ou to co u o al r he m u b e e e by s g n ly t nt nt nstit ti n ight , st sp dily a m a f re - 4 r e o u ar e of e er . The ac of brought to t i l by ns g l s ssions gaol d liv y . f t u or oce c e ona cr m a c ar e was e erm e na ub c cour and g ilt inn n i in l h g d t in d i p li t, in the cou ere the o f e ce was a e e to a e occurre b a ur of e e m en nty wh f n ll g d h v d, y j y tw lv , “ e u a m ou er c no a ea cou e ri f ar a rom o be ma . so s f wh s n ni s v di t pp l ld d Civil ghts , “ e e e e on ue on of ac ere u e c to the am e e c o 5 . The th y d p nd d q sti s f t, w s bj t s d isi n , o cer and er a of the ro o a the er o a er or o er r of ffi s s v nts C wn , vi l ting p s n l lib ty th ight the u ec m b e ue anac o f or am a e to b e a se e a ur or s bj t, ight s d in ti n d g s, s ss d by j y, , om e ca e Were ab e to cr m a roce nor c ou e ea an arra in s s s, li l i in l p ss ld th y pl d y w nt
or c om m a e r u ca o not e e the dire c or er of the i . nd in th i j stifi ti n, v n t d k ng The e e r a o e a m a o ar i rom a ou to e erso e o e p s l n , s ll b dy v y ng f b t fifty ighty p ns, nj y d the r e e of ar ocrac c e ce a of ar am e ere not p ivil g s ist y whi h, x pt th t sitting in p li nt, w er c o era e f ar e O re e e o em e e e r c i ren ere v y nsid bl , l ss pp ssiv . All b l w th , v n th i h ld , w m nd the e e O the l aw e ua to e ac o er the rad a o of com o er a . n s, in y f q l h th In g ti n ra c if not e all re co n e m u u rou the ece ar nks, whi h, l g y g is d, st still s bsist th gh , n ss y e ua i e of r and ea we the e r or r c a a o er m a in q l ti s bi th w lth, find g nt y p in ip l l ndh ld s, ny f em i u e oo and all he arin coa arm our b ut ou o th dist ng ish d by knighth d, by g t , with t an e c u e r e e th e e om a r or m a ree o er and arm er a er y x l siv p ivil g y n y, s ll f h ld s f s, v y um erou and re ec a e o om e oc cu i e r owne a e om e o e of n s sp t bl b dy, s py ng th i st t s, s th s a ord the ur e e and er or a an of ra i own and a l ndl s ; b g ss s inf i inh bit ts t d ng t s , l stly, nd ab ourer O f e e e ar er m e a co era e ar ou the ea a r a . p s nt y l s th s , in li ti s, nsid bl p t, th gh
not er a so er ar e a. ro or o as u ual a e f or ra had b ee in p h ps v y l g p p ti n is s ly t k n g nted, n the om iou a e of Vil e a e i ca a e of o e n ro e r b ut at the ign in s st t l in g , n p bl p ss ssi g p p ty will of e e had o e er ra ua e e ra e a o e i erv u e m a th ir lords . Th y h w v g d lly b n is d b v th s s it d ny had ac quire d a stable posse ssion of lands under the nam e of copyholders and the ” c o of m ere V l e na e ecom e rare onditi n i l i g was b .
The gradual progress of the free principles of our constitution is no o er to race er the or the a e re ul ar c l ng be t d und Tud s, with s m g ity whi h ’ o er a e er the a a e e rom o re o ar . is bs v bl und Pl nt g n ts, f J hn s ign d wnw ds Th ere seems at first sight to b e a reaction towards de sp otism but this a ere app earance of degeneracy is only onthe surface . Sl vish things w o e r r of re of said and d ne in high plac s, and the e was a dea th measu s ‘ D ‘ STATE OF ENGLAND UNDER THE TU ORS .
ro e e not e o had ro a e - e r e to e or imp v m nt, becaus the nati n g wn f ls h a t d its lf, feeble- hearted but because the race of its form er leaders in struggle s e c e t the or er of f or liberty now no longer suppli d it with hi f ains, and d s or er ere to r not et ac re society whence the new ref m s w sp ing, had y qui d
- The rea u c a f Y ful l imp ortance and self reliance . d df l ivil w rs o ork and Lancaster had hewn the Barons of England down to a scanty and scared and rem nant ; which the subtle p olicy of Henry VII . the resolute ferocity nd m ore to . ore a e e ee of Henry VIII had tended m w ak n . But d p o and o r ere e ro ou th e a o er the th ught b ld inqui y w activ th ugh t n ti n, und mighty im pulses given to the mind by the general diffusion of the art of r the re a of the of the c a c the e c p inting, by viv l study l ssi s, by x iting e re of the r a eo ra ca co er e f ec e a ou i er o int st g e t g g phi l . dis v i s e f t d b t th s p i d,
and o e all the Re or a o . O ur ar a e ere ee di s , ab v , by f m ti n P li m nts w , ind d,
gracefully submissive under the two l ast Henrys . Such was the sham eful facility with which verdicts of guilty were then O btained a ro ec t o r c a ro the n ui o from jurie s in st te p s u i ns, p in ip lly th ugh i iq t us system of fining and im prisoning any juror who dare d to return a rdi e of the ro - the e e r a ca o ve ct against th wish C wn ; judg s, in th i ppli ti n ' e o o of the cr l aw ere c er e oo of and xp siti n iminal , w su h s vil t ls the Sovereign ; and hum an life was lavished onthe scaffold with such savage ro a we ca o b e r r e e eera e cea e p digality, th t nn t su p is d that whil the p g s d to ur e of o e m enof r or o o f nish hereditary tribun s the pe pl , infe i p siti n shrank at first from coming forward as state martyrs
N e c civis erat qui lib era posse t re Ve rba anim i prof erre e t vitam impende vero .
Thus it was that the Court of Star- Chamber (as the old court of the ’ king s Concilium O rdinarium was now called) exercised an extensive and a om a o r c o ea of c m en ere ar rar n l us ju isdi ti n, by m ns whi h w bit ily fine or r o e and o e e e ce to cr a o f or an d imp is n d, ft n s nt n d uel mutil ti ns, y a e co c w c the or and re e of o nc or ll ged mis ndu t, hi h l ds p lat s the C u il any er of the ro m i im e to e to . minist C wn ight th nk fit put th m Thus, ’ too the ec o e was re e or e o ar a e ar , subj t s m n y f qu ntly ext t d with ut P li m nt y m e of o a e er a e e e or o . e e ss nt, und the n b n v l nces l ans Th s things and o er o ce er e re to e c er the a e e th vi len s w e ndu d an ext nt whi h, und Pl ntag n ts , o m et firm r o ra e n ar e e c ot e re . w uld hav with m nst n , if with m d sistance But the independent p o wer of the gentry and of the wealthier p ortions of the m e c a e was e di o e creas and iddl l ss s st a ly, th ug h sil ntly, in ing ; under the last three Tudors we find the House of Com mons gradually re the firm re e o e ear th e re o o to in suming f t n and b ing, and s luti n mainta and or out the r of eo e c the r a aro or er w k ights the p pl , whi h g e t B ns f m ly di a e at R e e and e e er the o ar spl y d unnym d L w s . Und Elizabeth p pul party in the House of Commons was organised and active and more t a o e cce l ff or e e re or . c e h n nc su ssfu in its ts at state f m Mu h, ind d, in her re was e re f or her a not f or o f a o e e ign ndu d s ke, and want kn wl dg
of o o a c r c e r or of r to r . a its unc nstituti n l ha a t , spi it esist it M ny a ’ haughty speech and many a harsh act of Elizab eth s was forgiven and forgotten by those who thought of the true English heart and ‘ ar of the ee o e ee c eer her roo at d ing ! u n, wh m th y had s n h ing t ps r who fi the r er of the a ca and the Tilbu y ; had de ed spi itual thund s V ti n , D 2 TI TI A PP TI T T T A T CONS TU ON L O OSI ON O HE S U R S .
re er o er of the r a a who had e out ra e mo p il us thund s A m d ; s nt D k , ’ Ra a e a Fro er to ear n a oe leigh, C v ndish, H wkins, and bish , b d E gl nd s f s ’ rea a m e e o d the o er and e er a and sp d Engl nd s fa b y n s uth n w st n w ves . e the ec e o o e ar c e to our ro e and But wh n imb il th ugh ins l nt Stu ts am th n ,
a e our a o a o o r a b - or a roa e at om e e ara e m d n ti n l h n u y w d b d, whil h th y p d d ac m o off e e c ai to ar rar o r the o off e e a er e h st nsiv l m bit y p we in m st nsiv m nn , a r o c or eara ce co b e F f r a no c e ec e . or a e o su h p t i ti f b n uld xp t d tun t Engl nd, ee two c ea or e r nce the r ind d, it was that su h w k and w thl ss p i s as fi st James and Charles reigne d next after Elizabeth ; that we had not a cce o of ac e ro ero o ere er o ov er ro su ssi n tiv and p sp us s v igns, und wh m g wn ' rero a e t a e ee a o e to a e too ee roo e the p g tiv migh h v b n ll w d t k d p t, whil h f h a a national liberties perished amidst t e blaze o t e n tion l glory . r wo ar a f ar had een a di se The fi st t P li ments o Ch les I . b h stily smis d him e a co en eca e e a ere to the old co by in p tul nt dis nt t, b us th y dh d nsti tutional plan of making the grant of supplies dep end upon the r edress o c r a e co e the r of grievances . Th se grievan e s we e ctiv ly ntinu d by C own and er o e of e e the ar r r e of o ier its minist s ; s m th m b ing bit a y bill ting s ld s, the orc of oa to th e er the e of e e o e ce the f ing l ns King, und titl b n v l n s, m r o o e who re e to e e era of om on i p is ning th s fus d l nd, s v l wh , suing out e r r of e or ere e a of re a to th i w it Hab as C pus, w , in d fi nce it , m nded prISon. a e er r o r un ar am e ar m e o of e o e Still, with wh t v ig u p li nt y th ds g tting m n y
re re or e to ar e o as the ear o - Nor a had we s t d , Ch l s f und, ly Angl m n kings o a no r co e or so m c rom the a o as co f und, th t ty anny uld xt t u h f n ti n, uld b e a e ro co e to the e was r o a ne . g in d f m it, if its ns nt l vy fi st bt i d His r ar am e ere ore mm o e c m et arc 16 28 thi d P li nt was th f su n d, whi h in M h , and co i one ror a ar 1 e or who ntinued w th p og tion till M ch 6 29 . W ntw th ( h ad not et a o a e e en- P m o e o e o and am y p st tiz d), S ld , y , H ll s, C k , Eli t, H p den ere of ar a e and o er m enof ener and a e w this P li m nt, th gy bility, int nt on ca our a c e t a er e re orc our a c e aw vindi ting n i n vit l lib ti s, by inf ing n i nt l s made by our ancestors ; by s etting forth such a character of them as no licentious spirit should dare to enter up on Charles endeavoured to soothe them with vague prom ise s but Sir Edward Coke warn ed them that general words were no sufficient satisfactionf or p ar h ticul ar r e a e e er ar am e re on e a e . T e g i v nc s . Did v P li nt ly m ss g s King
ea a recor and ar c ar and not in e era . L et must sp k by d, in p ti ul s, g n ls u a e o of R not a di tr the us put p P titi n ight ; th t I s ust King, but a e a r a th t we cannot take his trust sav in a Parli menta y w y . Th i o e Petition of Right was accord ngly drawn up by the Comm ns . The Lords p roposed in a conference to add the following claus e We m re e i e o to o r a e not o a care of hu bly p s nt th s p titi n y u M j sty, nly with ’ re er our own er e due re r to ea e e re a p s ving lib ti s, but with ga d l v nti th t sovereignp ower with which your Maj esty is entrusted f or the p ro ” tection a e nd a e of o r e he ea er of the a o e . T , s f ty, h ppin ss y u p pl l d s C ommons saw clearly the dangerous eff ect of this insidious stipulation a o r of the ro a rero a e and ere or re e to co c r in f v u y l p g tiv , p mpt ily fus d n u in the e r co er e c o the eer a e wa am ndment . Afte nsid abl dis ussi n P s g v y, e o o the h o and and the bill having pass d b th h uses as ill, the wh le bill,
ee f Sp ch o Wentworth . THE P TITI o I T 3 7 E ON r R GH .
o i the i a a e o the ro a a e to eco e n th ng but b ll, w it d nly y l ss nt b m law, and ” 9" to form a mem orable era inthe English Government . O n the eco of e the eer ere e e the o o s nd Jun P s w ass mbl d, C mm ns mm one and the a eare the o e of or to su d, King pp d in H us L ds give his he ll m en in ar am e to t . to the r r e o f a answer P li nt bill But, su p is ,
ar e i ea of the e - o c e or of or c Ch l s, nst d using w ll kn wn an i nt f m w ds by whi h u a l rece e the ro a a e a re e the ar a e and o s ch bi l iv s y l ss nt, dd ss d P li m nt t ld e The e r b e o e accordi to the a and th m, King will th that ight d n ng l ws c o of the rea and a the a e b e due e ec o ust ms lm, th t st tut s put in x uti n, that his subj ects m ay have no cause to com plain of any wrong or op pression contrary to their just rights and libertie s ; to the preserva o er o he o e co c e e o e as of ti n wh e f h lds hims lf in ns i nce as w ll blig d, his
prerogative . The Com m ons returne d highly incensed with this evasive circum i e a to a ai h a o f h ro o . e or t e r o t e locuti n Th y f thw th b g n ss l f v u ites C wn, and m eac e a Dr. a r who had re c e a er o c i p h d M nwa ing, p a h d s m n, whi h ’ had a er r e e r e co c di co r e ft wa ds b n p int d by the King s mmand, in whi h s u s ’ the right divine of kings to deal as they pl eased with their subj ects ro er one er e c e e er r am e co e e or not the p p ty m g n i s, wh th Pa li nt ns nt d , and d of a e o edie ce the ec ere O e re er edl uty p ssiv b n in subj t, w p nly and un s v y a a e The o o roc re r a co em a o of m int in d . C mm ns p u d the t i l and nd n ti n acer o a a e li e of ar r r o er ere rocee to a this s d t l s t l t bit a y p w , and w p ding ssail ’ ’ o er er ar e co c l e the o ac at e th s high in Ch l s s un i s , wh n King s bstin y l ngth av e wa and the e o of R r ce e the ro a a e the g y, P titi n ight e iv d y l ss nt in c om ar or of Nor Fre c and eco rea o e ust y f m man n h, this s nd g t s l mn declaration of the libertie s of Englishm en was declared to b e the law of o the e er re o c of the a o . the land, am ng g n al j i ings n ti n
PETITIO N O F RI T G H .
3 . C A R . c . I l .
The Pe o e e to His a e b the or S r ual and em ora an titi n xhibit d M j sty y L ds pi it T p l, d omm o re e ar iam e a em e co cer er C ns, in this p s nt P l nt ss bl d, n ning div s Rights and ’ ’ er e of the Su ec the Kin a e Lib ti s bj ts, with g s M j sty s royal answer thereunto in u ar am e f ll P li nt . ’ To the K o ce e a e ing s M st Ex ll nt M j sty .
um e u o our o ere or the k the or S r tua and em ora H bly sh w nt s v ign l d ing, l ds pi i l t p l, c om m o ar am e a em e a e rea n d ns in p li nt ss bl d, th t wh s it is declare d a d enacte d by a ta u e m a e the m e of the re f o ar I . com m o s t t d in ti ign King Edw d , nly calle d Statutum d e talla io nonconced end ' ' a no a a e id a g o, f th t t ll g or a sh ll b e laid or le vie d the or his e r re a m ou the oo and a e of he by king h i s in this l , with t g d will , ss nt t archb o b Isho s ear b aro ur e e and o er the reem e of ish ps, p , ls, ns, knights, b g ss s, th f n
um H e . u ose a u e ou a ace am o our recor er ear and its This s pp d st t t f nd pl ng ds v y ly, re co o the e o of a e thence orth the au h or of a a u e gniti n by P titi n Right g v it f t ity st t t . But B acks o e in or onthe ar er has o a was or i a o in l t n , his w k Ch t s, sh wn th t it ig n lly n th g m ore a an e com e um f onfirm atio C hartarum — e o he Se e t C , t th n int nd d p ndi oo, ” ’ ” n and a m a u zo . 11 am S e e e 3 06 ai 3 u o . G i t, Ess s, p , , ; H ll s ppl nt l N t s, p . 3 8 THE P IT O F I ET ION R GHT .
the com m o a of i re alm and au or of ar am e o e ! fiv n lty th s ; by th ity p li nt h ld n in the e
- and e e ear of the re of ar . ec are and e nac e tw nti th y ign King Edw d III , it is d l d t d, that from the nce forth no person should b e c om pelle d to m ake any loans to the king a a n e cau e uc oa ere a a n rea o and the g i st his will, b s s h l ns w g i st s n franchise of the a and o er a of re a m rov e a o e ou b e l nd by th l ws this l it is p id d, th t n n sh ld charge d b an c ar e or m o o ca ed a e e o e ce nor uc e c ar e h y h g i p siti n ll b n v l n , by s h lik h g ; by w ich a u e e ore m e o e and o er the ood a and a u e o f re a m our st t t s b f nti n d, th g l ws st t t s this l , y u e c a e er e re e om a e ou not b e com e e to co r u s bj ts h v inh it d this f d , th t th y sh ld p ll d nt ib te to an tax al a e aid or o er e c ar e not se t com m o co e ar am e y , t l g , , th lik h g by n ns nt, in p li nt Y e t e e e c m m II . n v rtheless of late div rs o issions dire cte d to sundry commis sioners e era cou e ruc o a e u e m ea re in s v l nti s, with inst ti ns, h v iss d by ns whe of your e o e a e b e e er ace a em e and re uire to e c er a um o p pl h v n in div s pl s ss bl d , q d l nd t in s s f m o e u o our m a e and m a of em u o e r re u a so to do a e n y nt y j sty, ny th , p n th i f s l , h v had an oath adm inistere d unto them not warrantable by the laws or statute s of rea m and a e ee c ra e to b e com e ou to ma e a eara c this , h v b n onst in d b nd k pp n e and l . e u te ra ce e ore our r cou c and o er ace and o er of em giv t n b f y p ivy n il in th pl s, th s th a e b ee ere ore m r so e co ne and u r ot er a m o e e and h v n th f i p i n d, nfi d, s nd y h w ys l st d disquie te d ; and dive rs other charge s have bee n laid and le vie d upon your people e era cou e b or eu e a e u e u e a c omm o er f or mus in s v l nti s y l d li t n nts, d p ty li t n nts, issi n s er u ce of e ace and o er comm a or rec o rom our m a e o t s, j sti s p th s, by nd di ti n f y j sty, r our r cou c a a the a and re e cu om of the rea m y p ivy n il, g inst l ws f st s l e e The re a h III . And wh r as als o by the statu te calle d G t Charter of t e Libertie s ” of a e c are and e ac e a no re em a m a b e a e or im Engl nd, it is d l d n t d, Th t f n y t k n r o e or b e e e of re e o or e r e or ree cu om or b e out p is n d, diss is d his f h ld lib ti s, his f st s, a ed or e e or an m a er e ro ed b ut b the a u u m e of his e ers l w xil d, in y nn d st y , y l wf l j dg nt p , or by the law of the land : .
- - nd e ear of the re of K ar . . the e a e IV And in ight tw nti th y ign ing Edw d III , it was ec are and e ac e au of ar am e a no m anof a e a e d l d n t d by thority p li nt, th t wh t st t or co o a he b e ou b e ut out of his a or e em e nor a e nditi n th t , sh ld p l nd t n nts, t k n, nor m r o ed nor er e or ut to ea h ou e rou to a er i p is n , dish it d, n gp d th wit t b ing b ght nsw by due proce ss of law e nd o er the o . Ne er e e a ai s the e or of the a a u s a o aw V v th l ss , g n t t n s id st t t , th g d l s and a u e O our re a m to a e nd ro e i er of our u e ct a e of st t t s f y l th t p vid d, d v s y s bj s h v late bee n im priso ne d without any cause she we d ; and whe n f or their deliverance ’ e ere rou b e ore our u ce our m a e r of habeas or us th y w b ght f y j sti s by y j sty s w its c p , ere to u er o and re ce e as the c our ou or er and e r e e er com th nd g iv t sh ld d , th i k p s m ande d to cer the cau e of e r e a er no cau e was cer e b ut a e tify s s th i d t in , s tifi d, th t th y ’ ere e ai e our m a e e c a com m a n e the or of o ur w d t n d by y j sty s sp i l nd, sig ifi d by l ds y r cou c and e t e re re ur e ac to e e ra r o ou b e p ivy n il, y w t n d b k s v l p is ns, with t ing charge d with any thing to which they m ight m ake answer according to the law erea of a e rea com a e of o er and m ar er a e e e VI . And wh s l t g t p ni s s ldi s in s h v b n er e o er cou e of the rea m and the a an a a n e r disp s d int div s nti s l , inh bit ts g i st th i wills a e e e com e e to re ce e em o e r ou e and ere to u er em h v b n p ll d iv th int th i h s s, th s ff th to o our a ai the a and cu om of re alm and to the rea r e a ce s j n , g nst l ws st s this , g t g i v n and ve xation o f the pe ople iam e the fiv e - and - e ere a a o au ori of ar e VII . And wh s ls by th ty p l nt, in tw nti th nd e a no ear of the re of ar . ec are a c e ha m an y ign King Edw d III , it is d l d n t d, t t should b e fore j udge d of lif e or lim b against the form of the gre at charter and the l aw of the land and by the said great charter and oth er the laws and statute s of our rea m no m an ou to b e a u e to ea b ut the a es a e this y l , ght dj dg d d th by l ws t blish d our rea m e e r the cu tom of the am e re al m or b ac of ar a in this y l , ith by s s s , y ts p li ' m ent : And whe reas no off e nder of what kind soe ver is e xem pted from the pro cee dins to b e u e and u m e to b e c e the a and a u e of g s d, p nish nts infli t d by l ws st t t s this your realm n e vertheless of late tim e divers comm issions unde r your ’ m a e a e al a e ue or c cer a er o a e ee as j sty s gre t s h v iss d f th, by whi h t in p s ns h v b n signe d and appointe d c om missioners with powe r and authority to pro ce e d within the a accor to the u ce of m ar a l aw a a uc o er or mar er l nd, ding j sti ti l , g inst s h s ldi s in s, or o er o u e er o o em as ou comm an m ur er th diss l t p s ns j ining with th , sh ld it y d , ro b er e o m u or o er ou ra e or m em ea or a oe er and uch b y, f l ny, tiny, th t g isd n wh ts v , by s umm ar c our e and or er as is a re e a e to mar al law and as u e arm es s y s d g bl ti , is s d in i m e of war to rocee to the r a and co em a o of uc off e er and in ti , p d t i l nd n ti n s h nd s, them to cause to be exe cuted and put to death according to the law martial
4 0 A B I MI ITA T R OLIT ON OF L RY ENU ES . a nd a b e o e a a n the am e al b e re re s e and o e if nything d n g i st s , it sh l d s d h ld n f or none and by another statute m ade in the e ight - and - twentie th year of the re ign of the sam e e K ar . am o o r i e ac e a no m an of . a e a e ing Edw d III , it is ngst th th ngs n t d, th t wh t st t or co o oe er he he a b e ut out of a or e em e nor a e nor nditi n s v , sh ll p his l nds t n nts, t k n m r o e nor n er e ou e rou to a er due roce i p is n d, disi h it d, with t b ing b ght in nsw by p ss of law and by anoth er statute m ade in the two- and - fortieth year of the re ign o f the ar n m a e er o a . is e ac e a o n b ut to a u s id King Edw d III , it n t d, th t p nsw , with t re e m e e ore u ce or m a er of re cor or due roce and r or al p s nt nt b f j sti s, tt d, by p ss w it igin a ccor to the old law of the an and a b e o e to the c o rar ding l d, if nything . d n nt y, it al b e o l aw and o e f or e rror and ano er a u e m a e the sh l v id in , h ld n by th st t t d in six
- and r e ear of the am e ar . am o o er e acte thi ti th y s king Edw d III , it is ngst th things n d, ’ a all ea c a b e ea e an court e ore an the k u ce th t pl s whi h sh ll pl d d in y s b f y ing s j sti s , o r o er ace or e ore an of his o er m e r or in the c our and in his th pl s, b f y th inist s, ts ace of an o er or the re a m a b e e ere and e ro e a pl s y th l ds within l , sh ll nt d n ll d in L tin and whereas by the statute m ade in the third ye ar of king He nry VII p ower is e to the c a ce or the or rea urer of an f or the m e e and the giv n h n ll , l d t s Engl d ti b ing, ’ ee er of the r ea or two of em ca n u o em a. o and a k p king s p ivy s l, th , lli g nt th bish p ’ e m ora or of the ki m o o oura e cou c and the two c e u ce of t p l l d ng s st h n bl n il , hi f j sti s ’ the Be c and om m o e a f or the m e e or o er two u ce King s n h C n Pl s ti b ing, th j sti s in e r a e ce to rocee as a act e re e f or the u m e of ome th i bs n p d in th t is xp ss d, p nish nt s particular o ff e nce s there in m e ntione d and by the statute m ade in th e one - and e e f e e f the c u a oc a e ear o K e r . the r o o c to tw nti th y ing H n y VIII , p sid nt n il is ss i t d j oin with the Lord Chancellor and othe r j udges in the said statute of the 3 rd o f He nry VII m e ntione d ; b ut the said j udge s have not ke pt them selve s to the points m te the a a u e b ut a e u er a e to u ere no l aw o li i d by s id st t t s, h v nd t k n p nish wh d th warra and to m a e e cree f or avi no suc au or and to ct nt, k d s things h ng h th ity, infli e a er u m e t a an law arra e h vi p nish n s th n by y is w nt d . ora m uc as all m a er e am a e or e erm a e e ore the a u e And f s h tt s x in bl d t in bl b f s id j dg s, or the cour com m on ca e the S ar- am er m a a e e r ro er rem e in t ly ll d t Ch b , y h v th i p p dy and re re and e r due u m e and corre c o the comm o l aw of the d ss, th i p nish nt ti n, by n a and the or ar cour e of u ce e e e re and ora m uc as the re a o l nd, in din y s j sti ls wh f s h s ns and m otive s inducing th e ere ction and continuan ce of that court do now ce ase a nd the roce e ce ure and e cre e of a c our a e e er e ce ee ou p dings, ns s, d s th t t h v by xp i n b n f nd to b e an o era e ur e to the u e c and the m e a to ro uce anar rar int l bl b d n s bj ts, ns int d bit y p ower and gove rnm e nt and forasm uch as the c ouncil - table hath of late tim e s as sum e d unto itse lf a p ower to interm e ddle in civil cause s and m atters o nly of private ere e e e ar and ar and a e a e ure to e erm e of the e a e int st, b tw n p ty p ty, h v dv nt d d t in st t s and e r e of the u e c c o rar to the l aw of the a and the r and r v lib ti s s bj t, nt y l nd ights p i i e e of the u e c c re a and m a o m c e and co e e c e l g s s bj t, by whi h g t nif ld is hi fs in nv ni n i s a e ar e and a e e and m uc cer a m e a of uc roce e a h v is n h pp n d, h in t inty by ns s h p dings h th ’ e e c o ce e c o ce r m e r and e a e f or e ere o and b n n iv d n ning n s ights st t s s ttling wh f, pre ve nting the like in tim e to c om e Be or a e and e ac the au or of re e ar am e a the it d in d n te d by th ity this p s nt p li nt, th t a cour com m o ca e the S ar- am er and all ur c o o er and s id t nly ll d t Ch b , j isdi ti n , p w , au or e o u o or e erc e the am e c our or an the u e th ity b l nging nt , x is d in s t, by y j dg s, of cer or m er ere o b e rom the r d a of u u the . ear of our fi s, inist s th f, f fi st y A g st in y or G od one ou a u re or and one c ear and ab o u e i o e L d th s nd six h nd d f ty , l ly s l t ly d ss lv d, a e a a and e ermi e t k n w y, d t n d .
carce a the ro ce cer a not the It s ly f lls within p vin , and t inly is within of the re e or to arra e or di c the e e of the re o limits, p s nt w k, n t s uss v nts v ’ l utionar er m m to e e the o c e e ro ar e . a e y p i d, whi h xt nds f Ch l s I s tt pt s iz fiv e m em er o h ra h a e t t r o of 6 6 O f t e e e o ro a 1 0 . b s, st ti n y lty in st tut s a e inthe f ar e o onacco re o . e era e erv e e p ss d ign Ch l s II , s v l d s m nti n unt f m 24 a o e o e r co o a or a ce . The 12 C ar. 2 c . th i nstituti n l i p t n , , b lish d m ar e re a o e er co er em o com m on ree o ilit y t nu s lt g th , nv ting th int f h lds, and e a o e e a r of the ro to ar thus sw pt way th s f ud l ights C wn w dships,
r m er e i m a e ee so r e -2 a o &c . c had o p i s isins, ds, h g s, , whi h l ng b n bu d n so e to the o e r wh a l ar e re . m n bility and g nt y, o held l nds by mi it y t nu AB A C P A T 4 1 H E S OR US C .
re r a e o how ear the a o er e a to But it is ma k bl , and it sh ws ly l ndh ld s b g n shift the burden of taxation off their ownshoulders up on those of the eneral comm a the com ena on o e to the ro f or g unity, th t p s ti v t d C wn the o of e e o urce of re e ue was not a erm a e tax on an l ss th s s s v n , p n nt l ds f orm er e in c a r c was ro o e om e em er and ly h ld hiv l y (whi h p p s d by s m b s, was ou e a e on u r c e b ut ane c e o cer a n und bt dly b s d j st p in ipl ), x is up n t i
‘ ar c e of enera and ece ar con m o The r re ar ar ti l s g l n ss y su pti n . fi st gul P lia ment of Charles p asse d animp ortant A ct to prevent the legislature being o era e and e r o e coerc re r o and edi o v w d, th i v t s ed in futu by i tous s ti us o th er e f o a a e ar. 1 c 5 e o e er 13 C 2 . . m bs und guis p titi n s . Th t st tut ( , st , ) orce and e ac a no er o or er ons a oe er al is still in f , n ts, th t p s n p s wh ts v sh l re a r to a e or o or e er of the o e of ar am e o p i his M j sty b th ith H us s P li nt, up n re e ce of re en n or e er n an e t o com a rem o p t n p s ti g d liv i g y p ti i n, pl int, n rance ec ara on or o er a re e accom a e e ce e st , d l ti , th dd ss s, p ni d with x ssiv m er o f eo e nor one a o e er of ten nu b p pl , at any time with b v the numb ” er o n p s s .
Th e a e or A ct a o c was e this s rei n 3 1 H b as C pus , ls , whi h pass d in g (
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C ar. 2 c . of rea co o a a e o b no m ea , is g t nstituti n l v lu , th ugh it y ns ro ce an new r c e o our em or orm e an c e oc int du d y p in ipl int syst , f d y su h p h the ac o of the a o a er e as om e r er re re in quisiti n n ti n l lib ti s, s w it s p
e . m a e the re e e a a ar rar r o m e or s nt But it d m di s g inst bit y imp is n nt sh t, cer a and a e e o e c e . The s t in, btainabl at all times and in all as s t tut its lf enacts
1 f an er . That o ncom pl aint and request in writing by or onbehalf o y p son com m itte d and charge d with any crim e (unle ss comm itte d f or treason or felony e x presse d in the warrant or as acce ssory or onsuspi cion of being accessory b e fore the fac t to a ny pe tit tre as on or felony or upon suspicion of such petit treason or fe lony plainly e xpre sse d in the warrant or u nle ss he is c onvicte d or charge d in e e cu o e a roce the or a ce or or an of the u e aca o x ti n by l g l p ss), L d Ch n ll y j dg s in v ti n , u o e a co of the arra or af a a a c o e e a u l e p n vi wing p y w nt, fid vit th t py is d ni d, sh ll ( n ss the party has negle cte d f or two te rm s to apply to any c ourt f or his enl argem e nt) a ar a ha beas cor us f or uc r o er re ur a e m m e a e e ore m e or w d p s h p is n , t n bl i di t ly b f hi s lf an o er of the u e and u the re ur m a e a c ar e the ar if y th j dg s pon t n d sh ll dis h g p ty, a a e u o e cur to a ear and a er to the accu a o the ro er b il bl , p n giving s ity pp nsw s ti n in p p cour of u a r 2 b e or e as rane ur ua ce c u e . a uc r a t j di t . Th t s h w its sh ll ind s d g t d in p s n o f a nd m a the r a b e ct a e he er a ar e 3 . b t o . this , sign d y p s n w ding th Th t w it sh ll re ur e and the r o er rou u a m e m e accor to the t n d , p is n b ght p within li it d ti ding i a e n e e a a o cer and e e er c n a e e 4 . ot c e a c . d st n , x ding in y s tw nty d ys Th t ffi s k p s e e c to ma e due re ur or not e er to the r o er or a e n gl ting k t ns, d liv ing p is n his g nt our f h arra f com m m e or i within six h s after dem and a C opy o t e w nt o it nt, sh fting the custody of the prisoner from one to another without sufficie nt re as on or au or e c e the act a f or the r off e ce or e £ 100 and f or the th ity (sp ifi d in ), sh ll fi st n f f it ,
e co off e ce £200 to the ar r e e and b e a e to o off ce . s nd n p ty g i v d, dis bl d h ld his i
5 a n - e f r th . Th t o p erson once de live re d by ha beas corp us shall b e re com m itt d o e am e e ce on na m m e r re a o or o e of £5 00 6 . a e er er o co f o s ff n , p lty . Th t v y p s n itt d t s n “ e o a he re u re the r e e of the e erm or the r da f l ny, sh ll if q i s it, fi st w k n xt t , fi st y of the e e o of o er and terminer b e di c e a erm or e s o or e e n xt s ssi n y , in t d in th t t s s i n, ls ’ a m e to b ail unle ss the ue e e a e ro uce at a ime and d itt d , q n s witn sse s c nnot b p d d th t t ac u e or not c e and r r e o he all b e if q itt d, indi t d t ie d in the se cond term o s ssi n , sh c ar e rom m r o m e ut a no ers o dis h g d f his i p is n nt f or such im pute d offe nce b th t p n, a er the a ze a b e O e f or h e e a e al l b e ft ssi s sh ll p n t e county in which h is d t in d, sh rem o e ha beas cor us a er the a ze are e ed b ut a b e e to the v d by p till ft ssi s nd , sh ll l ft m a m o e f or and u ce o f u e of a ze . a an u r o er j sti the j dg s ssi 7 . Th t y s ch p is n y v o a his habeas cor us as e ou t of the a cer o r c e ue r as out of the bt in p w ll Ch n y Ex h q , ’ K Be c or omm o ea and the or a ce or or u e e n the ing s n h C n Pl s, L d Ch n ll j dg s d nyi g ame on of the arra or oa a the am e is re u e or e e era to s sight w nt th th t s f s d, f f its s v lly 4 2 A D D R T A T T A T ENGL N UN E HE L S S U R S .
e sum of 00 8 . a hi the party grie ved th £5 . Th t t s writ of habeas cmjous s hall run o th e cou e a a e c ue or and o er r vi e e ace and th I int nti s p l tin , inq p ts, th p i l g d pl s, e slands n i a d uer s e 9 . a o a of Jersey an G n y . Th t nh bit nt of England (e xce pt pe rsons act n or co c ra to b e ra or e or a contr i g nvi ts p ying t nsp t d, h ving committe d some capital off ence in the place to which they are se nt) shall b e se nt priso ner to Sco l a re a er e uerne or an ace b e o the t nd, I l nd, J s y, G s y, y pl s y nd seas within or ’ ou the ue e om i o on a t a the ar com m his a er with t q n s d ni ns, p in h t p ty itting, dvis s, a er and a a all or e to the ar a r e e a sum not e a £5 00 id s, ssist nts, sh f f it p ty gg i v d l ss th n , to b e re co ere re e co a b e a e to e ar an ffie v d with t bl sts sh ll dis bl d b y o c f of trust or profit ; shall incur the pe naltie s of pm nwaire and shall b e incapable of the ’ ” — “ u ar o 3 B lack. om. 13 3 q ee n s p d n . C 7
e ac e and e c a the e s or A ct k e Thes en tm nts, spe i lly Hab a C pus , ma the
- a e o r e . ure cre a our a o n m f Cha l s II fig dit bly in st tute b ok . But practically the re of r ce and a of cce or ere one ign this p in , th t his su ss , w scene of
ro a a e a t . e e the ar and r y l inf my and ill g li y Ev n Hum , tful unsc upulous “ r of the o e of r co e e of a e pa tisan H us Stua t, nf ss s J m s II . that almost the o e of or re co of a a a m r wh l this sh t ign nsists ttempts lw ys i p udent, o te l e a o e e o a a e er was o f n il g l, s m tim s b th, g inst what v m st loved and ” h o e o revered by t e nation . S m f the grievances whereof the English of o e a o a o er o a th s d ys c mpl ined m st bitt ly, th se n mely which arose from ’ the O e co ra e e of Ro a o c e a ce of he king s p n en u g m nt m n Cath li s, in d fi n t re ec m ers of a c rc and e laws sp ting me b th t hu h, his vident zeal f or a cr e the e a e re o of the e of m king that e d st blish d ligi n land, in li u the ro e a a e r com ara e or a to o e P t st nt, may pp a p tiv ly unimp t nt s m modern rea er e ear m the co o of ro e at a e d s , unl ss they b in ind nditi n Eu p th t tim , h ow co e the o r and the a o of o i ! IV and mplet ly big t y mbiti n L u s . had identified the progress of Catholicism with the progre ss of despotic am e was the re n r c e . of o a d as a a e h p in ipl s J s hi ling L uis, w nim t d by t e r a same feelings . He st ove to g in a simultaneous trium ph over Church ’ a e a and to l a the na o a e h and St t in Engl nd, y ti nal f ith be n ath t e Pope s ee e he ca o the a o er e ea own f t, whil st d wn n ti nal lib ti s ben th his .
Th e a ra co e e ce of a a r of ra- ro e n tu l ns qu n this was, th t spi it ult P t st autism mingl ed with and b ecame ananimating principle of the oppo ou c was ra e a a aul o the o i siti , whi h is d g inst his ass ts up n C nst tution . The o cal r e eca c ar f or the e a re o one p liti st uggl b me ne ess ily tim ligi us . And in that age the succe ssful m aintenance o f Protestant ascendancy was no ere ec ar a r m o e the re c e the m s t i n t iu ph, but inv lv d s u and of o o a Fr e o advancem ent C nstituti n l e d m . Th e re am e of the I LL o r R I G H TS rr c e r or P bl B na ates l a ly, w thily, and the o a o of the o a and r e o of the rea fully vi l ti n kn wn l ws, f e instituti ns lm, ha mm And whi ch the late king d co itted . as the scop e of this little treatise does not permit a narrative here of the procee dings and dis
Suc the ub a ce of a rea and m or a ta But as the A ct i h is s st n th t g t i p t nt s tute . s co e to m r sonm e on crimina l or u o e criminal char e the 5 6 nfin d i p i nts , s pp s d , g s, c 100 was a e e e i the o er of u f ha s cor o 3 . a r o bea G e . , , p ss d, xt nd ng p w iss ing w it p us
o er ca e . B atu e is e ac e a ere an er o a b e to th s s y this st t it n t d, th t wh y p s n sh ll r re ra e o f his e r o er e a f m e cr m i a or u o confined o st in d lib ty, ( th wis th n or so i n l s pp se d cr m a m a er and e ce e r o m r o e f or e or roce an c i in l tt , x pt p s ns i p is n d d bt by p ss in y ivil u all and m a b e a u f or an u e or baro u o com a m a e s it), it sh y l wf l y j dg n, p n pl int d to him or on e a of the ar so co e or re ra e a a ear by b h lf p ty nfin d st in d, if it sh ll pp by affidavit or affirm ation that there is probable and reasonable groxm d f or such com ai to a ar aca ion ime a wr of babaas co m/as ad m b icie pl nt, w d in v t t it m j ndum T BI I T HE LL OF R GH S. 43
cussion of the o o ar il on r cr C nventi n P liament, I w l at ce t ans ibe this o or of al m st imp tant l modern statute s .
AN ACT FOR DECLARI NG THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTI ES OF THE S B ND S SS T W U JECT, A ETTLING THE SUCCE ION OF HE CRO N.
HEREA S the or r ua and em ora and comm o a emb e at e W l ds spi it l t p l, ns, ss l d W st m er a u u l and re e re re e all the e a e of the e o e of inst , l wf lly, f l y, f ly p s nting st t s p pl this rea m u o the rt e e d a of e ruar th e ear of our or one l , did p n thi nth y F b y, in y L d ou a u re e - e re e u o e r a e e e ca e and th s nd six h nd d ighty ight, p s nt nt th i M j sti s, th n ll d k o the am e and e of am and ar r ce and r ce of ra e n wn by n s stil Willi M y, p in p in ss O ng , b e re e e r ro e r er o a ce r a e c ara o r ma e the ing p s nt in th i p p p s ns, t in d l ti n in w iting, d by
a or and comm o the or o o v iz . s id l ds ns, in w ds f ll wing
HERE e the a a ce of v er e c u A S the a e n am . o e or W l t Ki g J s II , by ssist n di s vil ns ll s, u e and mi er em o e him e ea our to u er and e ir a e j dg s, nist s pl y d by , did nd v s bv t xt p t the ro e a re o and the a and ib er e of i k om P t st nt ligi n, l ws l ti s th s ingd
1 B um n d e erc f e and e . y ass i g an x ising a power o disp nsing with susp nding of a and the e ecu o of a ou co e of ar iam en l ws, x ti n l ws, with t ns nt p l t 2 B mm d r e e or re a f or umb e n . co an o cu r e o y itting p s ting div s w thy p l t s, h ly p titi ni g to b e e xcus ed from concurring to the said assum e d power B er he 3 . y issuing and causing to b e e xecute d a com m ission und t great seal f or
ere c a cour ca ed The our of omm o er f or c c e a ca au e . ting t ll , C t C issi n s E l si sti l C s s
4 . B e m o e f or and to the use of the cro b re e ce of rero a e y l vying n y wn, y p t n p g tiv , f or o er e nd r m e was ra te ar am e im a o er ma e a the a . th t , in th nn , th n s g n d by p li nt
5 . B ra an e e i ki om m e of ace y ising d k ping a standing arm y with n this ngd in ti pe ,
ou co e of ar am e and uar er o er co rar to law. with t ns nt p li nt, q t ing s ldi s nt y
6 . B cau i e eral oo u ec e ro e a to b e arm ed at the y s ng s v g d s bj ts, b ing P t st nts, dis , am e m e e a ere o arm e and e m o ed co rar to law s ti wh n P pists w b th d pl y , nt y .
B o a in the re e om of e e c of m em er to er e ar am e . 7 . y vi l t g f d l tion b s s v in p li nt ’ 8 r nd ca . B ro ecu o the cour of n B e c f or ma e a u e co iza e y p s ti ns in t Ki g s n h, tt s s s gn bl o d e a ur e nly in parliam e nt and by divers other arbitrary an il l g l co s s . nd u ua i e er o a e ee 9 . ere a of a e ear ar a corru a b And wh s l t y s, p ti l, pt, nq l fi d p s ns h v n re ur e and er e on ur e ri a and ar icu ar er uror r a f or t n d s v d j i s in t ls, p t l ly div s j s in t i ls i re a o ch ere not ree o er h gh t s n, whi w f h ld s . 10 e ce e ai a e e e uire of er o comm e cr m nal . And x ssiv b l h th b n r q d p s ns itt d in i i ca e to e u e the e e of th e a m a e f or th e er of the s s , l d b n fit l ws d lib ty 11 e ce e e a e b ee m o e and l e a and crue u m e . And x ssiv fin s h v n i p s d i l g l l p nish nts n c e i fli t d . 12 e nd r m m a e f and . And s veral grants a p o ise s d o fines an co c o or u m e a a the er o u o om the sam e ere to y nvi ti n j dg nt g inst p s ns, p n wh w b e e e l vi d .
Al l c are ut e r and rec rar to the o aw and a u e and whi h t ly di tly cont y kn wn l s st t t s, free dom of this realm : erea the a a e K am I a i a d ca e the o er m e And wh s s id l t ing J es I . h v ng b i t d g v n nt, and the ro e e n ere aca his e the ri ce of ran e om th n b i g th by v nt, highn ss P n O g (wh it ha th ple ase d Almighty G od to m ake the glorious instrum e nt of delivering this kingdom from po pe ry and arbitrary po we r) did (by the advice of the lords spiri tua l and em ora and er r c r ns of the com m o cau e e er to b e t p l, div s p in ipal pe so ns) s l tt s r e to the or S r ual and em ora e Pro e a and o er e e r to w itt n l ds pi it t p l , b ing t st nts th l tt s the e era c ou e c e u er t e orou and c n ue - or f or the c oo n s v l nti s, iti s, niv si i s , b ghs, i q p ts , h si g of s uc er o to re re e em as ere o f r to b e e to arl am e to h p s ns p s nt th , w ight s nt p i nt, m and at We m e r u o the w - - e da of a uar ear ee t sit st inst p n t o and twenti th y J n y, in this y one ousa u re e and e or er to uc an e a m e as th nd six h nd d ighty ight , in d s h st blish nt, a e r re o a and er e m not a a b e in an e r of be th t th i ligi n , l ws, lib ti s ight g in d g ing u r e u o c e e r e e c io a e accor mad e s bve t d ; p n whi h l tt s, l t ns h v be e n dingly ereu o the a or r ua and em ora and com m o ur ua to And th p n s id l ds spi it l t p l , ns , p s nt e r re ec e e er and e e c o e ne w a em e a u and ree th i sp tiv l tt s l ti ns, b ing ss bl d in f ll f re re e f a o ak o m o er ou co era o the e p s ntation o this n ti n, t ing int their st s i s nsid ti n b st 4 4 THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
' i the e s a ore a d o ih the r ace as m eans f or attain ng nd f s id, fi st pl ( the ir ancestors in like case have usually done) f or the vindicating and asserting the ir ancie nt rights and ber e e c are li ti s, d l
1. a the re e e o er of u e di of a or the e ecu o of a Th t p t nd d p w s sp n ng l ws, x ti n l ws, by re a au or ou co e of ar am e e a g l th ity, with t ns nt p li nt, is ill g l .
2 . a the re e e o e r of e a or the e e cu o of a Th t p t nd d p w disp nsing with l ws, x ti n l ws, re a au or as a e e a um e and e erc e f e o a e a . by g l th ity, it h th b n ss d x is d l t , is ill g l 3 a the comm o f or ere c the la e cour f . Th t issi n ting t t o c om m issioners f or e cclesias ca cau e and all o er com m o and cour of e a ure are e a and ti l s s, th issi ns ts lik n t , ill g l er c ou p ni i s .
4 . a e in m o e f or or to the use of the cro re e ce of rero a e Th t l vy g n y wn, by p t n p g tiv , ou ra of ar am e f or o er m e or o er m a er a the with t g nt p li nt, l ng ti , in th nn th n sam e
or a b e ra e e a . is sh ll g nt d, is ill g l he f he u ec o h k 5 . a t r o t to e t e and c Th t it is ight s bj ts p titi n ing, all ommitm ents * and ro e cu f or uc e o n are e a p s tions s h p titi ni g ill g l . a the ra or e e a a arm 6 . Th t ising k ping st nding y within the kingdom in tim e of m eace u e b e co e of ar a e a a law. p , nl ss it with ns nt p li nt, is g inst a he u e c c are r e a m m 7 . t o a a e ar f r e r e e ce Th t s bj ts whi h P t st nts, y h v s o th i d f n u a e to e r c o o and as a o e l aw s it bl th i nditi ns, ll w d by . +
8 . T a e e c o of m e m er of ar am e ou to b e ree h t l ti n b s p li nt ght f . nd e a r 9 . a the re e om of ee c a e or oce e ar iam e ou Th t f d sp h, d b t s p dings in p l nt, ght not to b e m eac e or ue o e inan cour or ace out of ar am e i p h d q sti n d y t pl p li nt . u not o b e e n 10 . a e ce e a o t r u re or e ce e m Th t x ssiv b il ght q i d, x ssiv fines i pose d nr m e fl o cruel and unusual punish nts in icte d . a uror ou to b e ul im a e l e and re ur e and uror c a s Th t j s ght d y p n l d t n d, j s whi h p s ' u o m en r a f or rea o ou to b e re e o er p n in t i ls high t s n ght f h ld s . 2 a all ra and rom e of e and or e ure 1 . Th t g nts p is s fin s f f it s of particular persons nd b e ore c o c o are e a a o . f nvi ti n , ill g l v id f all e a ce an r he m 13 . a f or re re o r d f o t a e re e And th t d ss g i v n s, nding, st ngth ning, and re e r of the a ar iam e ou to b e e re ue p s ving l ws, p l nts ght h ld f q ntly .
e do c a m em a and i u o all and u ar the rem e as e r And th y l i , d nd, nsist p n sing l p is s, th i u ou e r and e r e and a no e c ara o u m e o or ro nd bt d ights lib ti s th t d l ti ns, j dg nts, d ings p c e e din s to the re u ice of the e o e an of the a remi e ou an g , p j d p pl in y s id p s s, ght in y wise to b e drawn hereafter into conse que nce or e xam ple To which dem and of the ir rights they are particul arly e ncourage d by the de clara o of e the r ce of ra e as e the o l m ea f or o a a ul ti n his highn ss P in O ng , b ing n y ns bt ining f l re dre ss and re m e dy there in a e re ore ane re co e ce a his a e the r ce of ra e H ving th f nti nfid n , th t s id highn ss P in O ng er e c the el era ce s o f ar a a ce him and i re erve em rom will p f t d iv n dv n d by , w ll still p s th f the o a o of e r r c e a e ere a er e and rom all o er vi l ti n th i ights, whi h th y h v h ss t d, f th
em u e r re o r and er e . att pts p on th i ligi n, ights, lib ti s
The a or r ua and em oral and comm o a em e at e mi er II . s id l ds spi it l t p , ns, ss bl d W st nst , e o e a am and ar r ce and r ce of ra e b e and b e de do r s lv , th t Willi M y P in P in ss O ng , l are d n and ue e of a ra ce and re a and the om o ere c , Ki g Q n Engl nd, F n I l nd, d ini ns th e o to o the crow and ro a of the a ki om and d o unto b l nging, h ld n y l dignity s id ngd s to em the a r ce and r ce urin e r e and the e of the m inions th s id p in p in ss d g th i liv s, lif
r a a tum ultuous e o This doe s not re peal the statu te of Cha le s II . g inst p titi ning.
5 92. R e . . r o D ou . Se e 17. o R G d n, g p f er o a er and e cur the r of T In conne ction with the rights o p s n l lib ty s ity, is ight m f or e e ce u a e to co o and e re e and the subj e ct to carry ar s his d f n , s it bl his nditi n d g ,
w ere ana c e e ac m e o e er 2 Edw. . such as are allowe d by la . Th is n i nt n t nt, h w v , [ III a o arm e u er uc c rcum a ce as m a e to e rri the e . ag inst g ing d nd s h i st n s y t nd t fy e e or ca e an e o of tur the u c eace and b a m o e r p opl , indi t int nti n dis bing p bli p ; y d n the ra er o w ou a u au ori to the use of u 60 G e o . stat te [ III . t ining p s ns ith t l wf l th ty a r e and an u ce au or e to er e uc a em i e of er rm s is p ohibit d, y j sti is th is d disp s s h ss bl s p a occu a o and to arre an of the er o s ons as he m ay find engage d in th t p ti n, st y p s ns — ’ ommentar ies v ol . i. . 14 0 . pre sent . Step hens N ew C , , p ‘ 4 5 THE BILL or RIGHTS .
h e nd u e erc e of the re a o er he o in survivor of them and that t e sol a f ll x is g l p w nly , ce of ran e the am e of the a r ce and and e xe cute d by the said Prin O g , in n s s id p in r ce ur n e r o e and a er t e ir e ce a e th e a cro and ro a p in ss, d i g th i j int liv s ft h d s s, s id wn y l m nd om o s to b e to the e r of the o of the a dignity of the said kingdo s a d ini n h i s b dy s id f uc ue to the r ce e of D e m ar and the prin ce ss and f or de fault o s h iss p in ss Ann n k , he irs of her bo dy and f or default of such issue to the he irs of the b ody of the said ra e the or r ua and em ora and com m o d o ra Prince of O ng . And l ds spi it l t p l, ns, p y n e acce the am e ac cor n the sai d prince and pri c ss to pt s di gly . a the oa e re a e r m e o e b e a e b all er o of om the III . And th t ths h ft nti n d t k n y p s ns wh f a e a ce and u rem ac m b e re u re l aw ea of em and oaths o ll gi n s p y ight q i d by , inst d th d u m ac b e a ro a e that the said oaths of allegiance an s pre y b g t d .
d i ere rom e and ear a b e a f u and ear rue . B . o c I, A , s n ly p is sw , Th t I will f ith l, b t al e ce to e r a e e K iam and uee ar l gian , th i M j sti s ing Will Q n M y So e m e h lp G od .
B do ear a do rom m ear a or e e and a ure as m ou I , A . . , sw , Th t I f y h t bh , d t st, bj i pi s and ere ca a am a e oc r e and o o a r ce e comm u ca e h ti l, th t d n bl d t in p siti n, Th t p in s x ni t d or e r e the o e or an au or of the see of om e m a b e e o e or d p iv d by p p , y th ity R , y d p s d do e c are n e r u e c s or an o er a oe er. a o m urde re d by th i s bj t , y th wh ts v And I d l , Th t ore r ce e r o re a e a e or o e a e a or ou to a e an f ign p in , p s n, p l t , st t , p t nt t h th , ght h v y ur c o o er u er or re - em e ce or au or e cc e a cal or r ua j isdi ti n, p w , s p i ity, p in n , th ity l si sti spi it l , e m e within this re alm So h lp G od .
o c e r a a e e acce the crow and ro a of IV . Up n whi h th i s id M j sti s did pt n y l dignity the k om of a ra ce and re a and the om o t ereu o ingd s Engl nd, F n , I l nd, d ini ns h nt b e o i accor i to the re o u o and e re of the a or and comm o l ng ng, d ng s l ti n d si s id l ds ns the ec ara o contained in said d l ti n . ereu o e r a e e ere eas e a the or ua n . a r a d V And th p n th i M j sti s w pl d, Th t s id l ds spi it l em ora and com m o e the two ou e of ar am e ou co i ue to t p l , ns, b ing h s s p li nt, sh ld nt n sit, ’ and with their M aj e stie s royal c oncurre nce m ake e ff ectual pro vision f or the e t em e of the re o a and er e of om so a the am e f or the s t l nt ligi n , l ws lib ti s , this kingd , th t s future m ight not b e in danger again of be ing subve rte d to which the said lords S a nd e m ora and com m o a re e and roce e to act accor in r tu a . pi i l t p l, ns, did g p d d gly N ow ur ua ce of the re m e the a or ri ua and em oral and VI . in p s n p is s, s id l ds spi t l t p , com m o ar am e a em e f or the ra co rm and e a n the ns, in p li nt ss bl d , tifying, nfi ing st blishi g a e c ara o and the ar c e c au e m a er and ere co a ed the s id d l ti n , ti l s, l s s, tt s, things th in nt in , by orce of a law m a e due orm au or of ar am e d o ra a m a b f d in f by th ity p li nt, p y th t it y e e c are and e ac e a all and u ar the r and ert e a er e and d l d n t d, Th t sing l ights lib i s ss t d c a m e the a e c ara o are the rue a c e and u a e r and l i d in s id d l ti n , t , n i nt, ind bit bl ights e r e of the e o e of om and so a b e e e e m e a o e a u e lib ti s p pl this kingd , sh ll st d, ll w d , dj dg d, e e m e and a e to b e and a al l and e er the articu ar a ore a al b e d d, t k n , th t v y p l s f s id sh l rm and r c o e and ob er e as e are e re e the a e c ara fi ly st i tly h ld n s v d, th y xp ss d in s id d l tion ; and all office rs and m iniste rs wh atsoe ve r shall se rve the ir Maj e sties and u e or accor to the am e all m e to m e their s cc ss s ding s in ti s co . he or r ua and m o nd omm . t a e ra a c o e r ou c n VII And s id l ds spi it l t p l, ns, s i sly o siderin how a ea e lm G od mar e ou ro e ce and m er g it h th pl s d A ighty , in his v ll s p vid n , ’ cif ul oo e to a o to rovi e and re e r e e r a g dn ss this n ti n, p d p s v th i s id Maj e stie s royal er o m o a to rei o er us u o the ro e of e r a ce or f or c p s ns st h ppily gn v p n th n th i n st s, whi h they re nder unto him from the bottom of their hearts their hum ble st thanks and ra se d o ru rm a ure l and the ce r of e r ear and do i s , t ly, fi ly, ss d y, in sin ity th i h ts think , pereb re co ze ac o e e nd e c are a am e a K . a a ca e y gni , kn wl dg d l , th t ing J s II h ving bdi t d the o er m e and e r a e e a a the cro and g v n nt, th i M j sti s h ving ccepte d wn royal dignity as a ore a d e r a a e e did ecom e ere are and of r ou to b e the f s i , th i s id M j sti s b , w , , ight ght , by a of i re a m our o ere l e e or and a K and uee o f a l ws th s l , s v ign i g l d l dy, ing Q n Engl nd, ra ce and re a and the om o ereu o e o in and to o e F n I l nd, d ini ns th nt b l nging, wh s ‘ rincel y e rsons the ro a a e cro and of the a rea m all p p y l st t , wn , dignity s id l s, with ' o our e e re a e rero a e o er urisdictions and au or e to h n s, stil s, titl s, g liti s, p g tiv s, p w s, th iti s the am e e o and a er ai i are m o u ri ul and e re es e s b l nging pp t n ng, st f lly, ghtf ly, nti ly inv t d nd an and cor ora e u e a e e . in p t d, nit d n x d I e i all ue e . f or re o and o r a m re a o f V II And p v nt ng q sti ns divisi ns in this l , by s n o an re e e e to the cro and f or re ser a cer a the u c y p t nd d titl s wn, p ving t inty in s c ession ereo nd u o c the u eace ra u and a e of a th f, in a p n whi h nity, p , t nq illity, s f ty this n tion B 4 6 THE ILL OF RIGHTS .
er God o co s and e e the sa lor ritua and em oral doth, und , wh lly nsi t d p nd, id ds spi l t p , mm o do b e e e c e r a e e a m a b e e acted e a e and and co ns, s h th i M j sti s th t it y n , st blish d are a the cro and re al o er m e of the a om and om o de cl d, th t wn g g v n nt s id kingd s d ini ns, ll and u a the re m e ere u o e o i and a er a i al b e with a sing l r p is s th nt b l ng ng pp t in ng , sh l and co ue to e r a a e e and the ur or of em dur e r e ntin th i s id M j sti s, s viv th , ing th i liv s, nd u e erc se and the e of the ur or of h em . a the e re e r ec a lif s viv t And th t nti , p f t, f ll x i of the re a o er and o er m e he o and e e cu e his a e the g l p w g v n nt nly in, x t d by M j sty, in nam es of both their Maj esties during their j oint lives and after the ir de ce ase s the said crown and prem ise s shall be and re m ain to th e he irs of the b ody of her Maj e sty ; and f or e au of uc ue to her ro a i e the r ce e of D e m ar d f lt s h iss , y l h ghn ss P in ss Ann n k, and he e r of er o and f or e aul of uc sue to the e r of the o of t h i s h b dy ; d f t s h is , h i s b dy a a e ereu o the a or r tual and em ora and c om m o his s id M j sty And th nt s id l ds spi i t p l, ns, do the am e of al l the e o e a ore a m o um and a u u m , in n p pl f s id, st h bly f ithf lly s b it em e e e r e r and o er e f or e er and do a u rom e a th s lv s, th i h i s p st iti s v ; f ithf lly p is , Th t e ta to m a a n and e e e r a M a es tie s and a o the m a o th y will s nd , int i , d f nd th i s id j , ls li it ti n and ucce o of the cro ere e c e and co a e to the u m o of eir s ssi n wn h in sp ifi d nt in d, t st th o er e r e and e a e a a al l er o a oe er a a p w s, with th i liv s st t s, g inst p s ns wh ts v , th t sh ll a e m a i to the co rar tt pt nyth ng nt y . erea a e e ou b e e r e ce a co e IX . And wh s it h th b n f nd y xp i n , th t it is in nsist nt with the a e and e are of i ro e a k n om to b e o er e a o s f ty w lf th s P t st nt i gd , g v n d by P pish r nce or an K or ue e m r a a the a or S r tua and p i , by y ing Q n ar ying P pist s id l ds pi i l e m ora and com m o d o ur er ra a m a b e e ac e a all and e er t p l, ns, f th p y th t it y n t d, Th t v y er o and e r o a are or a b e re co ci e to or a o c om m u o p s n p s ns th t is, sh ll n l d , sh ll h ld ni n the see or c urc of om e or a ro es the o re o or a m arr with, h h R , sh ll p f s P pish ligi n, sh ll y a Pa al b e e c u e and b e f or e er ca a e to er o e or e o pist, sh l x l d d, v in p bl inh it, p ss ss, nj y the cro and o er m e of i rea m and re a and the om o ereu o wn g v n nt th s l , I l nd, d ini ns th nt ' b e o n or an art of the am e or to a e u se or e ercise an re a o e r l ngi g, y p s , h v , , x y g l p w , au or or ur di c i e e and all and e er uc ca e or ca e th ity, j is tion w thin th sam in v y s h s s s the eo e of e e rea ms a b e and are ere ab o e of e r a e iance p pl th s l sh ll , h by s lv d th i ll g and the a cro and o e r m e a rom m e to m e e ce to and b e s id wn g v n nt sh ll f ti ti d s nd , e o e uc er o or e r o e Pro e a as S ou a e eri e and nj y d by s h p s n p s ns , b ing t st nts , h ld h v inh t d e o e the am e ca e the a er o or er o so re co c e o com nj y d s , in s s id p s n p s ns n il d , h lding m u o or ro e or m arr as a ore ai ere a ura ea . ni n , p f ssing, ying f s d, w n t lly d d
. a e er and uee of rea m who a t an m e erea er X And th t v y King Q n this l , y ti h ft S a com e to and uccee the m e ria cro of om S a onthe r h ll s d in i p l wn this kingd , h ll fi st da of the m ee of the r ar am e e a er or her com to the y ting fi st p li nt, n xt ft his ing cro his or her ro e the ou e of eer the re e ce of the or wn, sitting in th n in h s p s , in p s n l ds and c om m o s ere a em e or at his or her coro a o e ore uc er o or n th in ss bl d, n ti n, b f s h p s n er o who a a m e r the coro a o oa to him o r her at the m e of his p s ns sh ll d inist n ti n th , ti or her a the ai oa c a r a e m a e u cr e and au t king s d th (whi h sh ll fi st h pp n) k , s bs ib , dibly re peat the de claration m e ntione d in the statute m ad e in the thirtee nth year of the re f n the o ar e . u e A ct f or the m ore e f fe c ua re er ign King Ch l s II , intit l d, An t l p s vi g ’ K e r o and o er m e i a n a rom ine er ou e of ing s p s n g v n nt, by d s bli g P pists f sitting ith h s ” ar am e . But al a e a uc or uee u o or her p li nt if it sh l h pp n, th t s h King Q n, p n his ucce io to the cro of hi re a m a b e u er the a e o f e e e ar e s ss n wn t s l , sh ll nd g tw lv y s, th n e er uc or uee a m a e u s cr e and au re ea the ai v y s h King Q n sh ll k , s b ib , dibly p t s d e c ara onat his or her coro a o or the r da of the m e e of the r t d l ti n ti n, fi st y ting fi s ar am e as a ore a c S a l r a e a er uc i or uee a l p li nt f s id, whi h h l fi st h pp n ft s h K ng Q n sh l a e a a e the a a e f e e ear h v tt in d s id g o tw lv y s .
. c e r M a esties are co e e and ease s a be ec are XI All whi h th i j nt nt d pl d h ll d l d, e a c e and e a e au or of re e ar iam e and s a a d n t d, st blish d by th ity this p s nt p l nt, h ll st n , rem a and b e the law of h rea m f or e er and the am e are b e r ai in, t is l v ; s y th i s d a e e and the a ce and co e of the or S ir ual and tem l M j sti s, by with dvi ns nt l ds p it m , and comm o ar iam e efie a e m e and the au r of the am e d ns, in p l nt ss bl d, by tho ity s , d, nac e and e e ta s e accor . t d, s bli h d dingly
. b e ur er e c are and e a b the au or a ore a T a XII And it f th d l d n cted y th ity f s id, h t rom and a er re e e o of ar am e t no e a o nonobstcm tc f ft this p s nt s ssi n p li n , disp ns ti n by of or to an a ute or an ar ereo al b e a o e b ut a the ame a b e y st t , y p t th f, sh l ll w d, th t s sh ll e o and of no e e c e ce a e a a o e of uc a u e and h ld v id ff t, x pt disp ns ti on b e ll w d in s h st t t , e xcept in such cases as shall b e spe cially provide d f or by one or m ore b ill or b ills to b e a e ur i re e e o of ar am e d ing th s p s nt s ssi n p li nt . JpIl l ro e n r e o e ree . a o c ar e or ran or ar on rane b re th ss dP vid d th t h t , g t, p d , g t d f th
T A T TT NT HE C OF SE LEME .
- v e ar as the re of ar e . the riv cou c e e as was e con A s ly ign Ch l s I p y n il, v n it th n e was too um erou f or the rac ca a m ra o of u re m e o er and stitut d, n s p ti l d inist ti n s p p w , ’ e c or o of a o ere u er the am e of ca e cou c e ec e a se l t p ti n th t b dy, w , nd n bin t n il, s l t d m ore co e a a vi e r of th e cro and e re re ou co u e as to as nfid nti l d s s wn, w p vi sly ns lt d e o c to b e ur ue re c n uc m e a ure as e re to com e u er cu o th p li y p s d spe ti g s h s s w nd dis ssi n. Dur the re of am i c o of the ca e rom the r ing ign Willi , this dist n ti n bin t f p ivy cou c and the e c u o of the a ter rom all u e of a e e cam e m ore n il, x l si n l t f b sin ss st t b ’ u e a e . The m e o is a a m em er e a e are f lly st blish d th d this, s ys b in d b t things c o cer e the ca e and e rou to the cou c uc a n re n t d in bin t, th n b ght n il s h thi g is o e the ca e and rou and ut on em f or e r a e ou ow s lv d in bin t, b ght p th th i ss nt, with t sh ing ‘ n f he rea o has not e e the m e o of a i m e o b e a o t . . y s ns This b n th d Engl nd If th s th d , ’ w e a e y ou will ne ver kno w ho giv s dvic . It was e ndeavoure d to restore the ancient principle by the fourth provision in the A ct of Se em e a a er the acce o of the ou e of a o er all re ttl nt, th t, ft ssi n H s H n v , o u o as to o er m e oul b e e a e the r cou c and e s l ti ns g v n nt sh d d b t d in p ivy n il, sign d by
o e re e . But rom om e u o m o e c ause e e r cam e o th s p s nt , f s nkn wn tiv s, this l n v int O h e a u 4 era o e re ea e t e e 0 . 8 6 e c . 7 . p ti n , b ing p l d by st t t , Ann , Ann , The o o o ere e irou of re uc f ue ce and the r a ce of pp siti n w d s s d ing this in l n , fi st inst n e c u o rom the ou e of omm o inco e ue ce of em o m e o ccur x l si n f H s C ns, ns q n pl y nt, s in 16 94 e onthe orm a o of a ne w oar of re e ue f or m a a the am , wh n, f ti n b d v n , n ging st p u e its m em er e re i ua e rom a ea th e ou e — and d ti s, b s w d sq lifi d f h ving s ts in H s by 5 0 im S a 11 8c 12 l am . 0 . 2 . 1 a ar s a was e e e to the t t . Wi li III , , s , s il di bility xt nd d nd om e o er o ce r o f e c e com m o er a . issi n s, s th ffi s x is It was soon p erceive d that the clause e xcluding all official personage s from the ou e was m rac ca e and a re eal of the ar c e oo ac e 1 0 6 H s , highly i p ti bl p ti l t k pl in 7 , the com m ons b e ing still de te rm ine d to pre serve the principle of lim itation as to ul e ca the num ber of placem e n that sho d b pacitate d . The House of Com m ons introduce d into the A c t of Se curity a cl ause e num e rating various p ersons who sh ould b e e ligible to parliam e nt th e prin cip al offi cers of a e th e com m o er of rea ur and a m ral and a m e um er of o er st t , issi n s t s y d i ty, li it d n b th acem e was ucce f u o e c e to the or b ut two m o m or pl n this s ss lly bj t d by l ds, st i p e re e a i e tant provisions w st bl sh d . IRST a e er m em er of the ou e of omm o acce anof ce u er F , th t v y b H s C ns, pting fi nd the cro e ce a er com m o the arm a aca e ea and a wn , x pt high issi n in y, sh ll v t his s t, e ne w writ shall issu . SEC O LY er o o of ce crea e ce the 25 th of c o er 1705 e re ND , p s ns h lding fi s t d sin O t b , , w
ca ac a e rom e e e c e or re e e c e m em er of ar am e . e in p it t d f b ing l t d, l t d b s p li nt Th y e xclude d at the sam e tim e all su ch as he ld p e nsions during the pleasure of th e crow and to c e c the m u ca o o f acem e e ac e a no r n , h k ltipli ti n pl n, n t d , th t g um er of comm s o er ou b e a o e to e e cu e an of ce a had b ee n b i si n s sh ld pp int d x t y fi , th n n ” em o e inits e ecu o at om e m e e ore a ar iam e pl y d x ti n s ti b f th t p l nt.
to b e o er e a the A ct of e e e e a e a new It is bs v d th t S ttl m nt, whil it g v a the r to re n an o em n ac o e e on a dyn sty ight ign in E gl d, s l ly kn wl dg d th t ’ o e occa o the e e ce and a or of all the ec r s l mn si n xist n uth ity subj ts ights . The conclusio nof the A ct of S ettlem ent is as follows
he a f a are the r r . erea t o of the eo e ere o IV And wh s l ws Engl nd bi th ight p pl th f, and all the and ue e who a a ce the ro e of re a m ou to Kings Q ns, sh ll s nd th n this l , ght a m ter the o e r m e of the am e accor to the a a and all e r d inis g v n nt s ding s id l ws, th i
statute s of the sam e now in are a e and the a ce and co e of the a or r ua by his M j sty, by with dvi ns nt s id l ds spi it l and em ora and c omm o and b au or of the am e ra e and co rm e t p l, ns, y th ity s , tifi d nfi d " accord ingly . It would be superfluous to p oint out categorically how completely
’ See a lam and Ste hens s De o m e . H l , p L l 1 4 9 STATE or ENGLAND AFTER 6 8 8 .
A ct the e o of R and the i of Ri reco e and this , P titi n ight B ll ghts, gnis confirm the p rim ary great constitutional principle s which the G reat or ce to the Re or ll of ar er r e is e . e e ro e Ch t fi st stabl h d But, b f p ding f m Bi 183 3 c eem e co o a or a ce m a e ul (whi h s s n xt in nstituti n l imp t n ), it y be us f to consider shortly the actual state of the English Government and a o o af te r the Re o o of 16 88 and r the ear ar of n ti n so n v luti n , du ing ly p t r the last centu y . With the expulsion of the Stuarts the long struggle between the king and the people ended : and the substitution onthe English throne of a e of r ce who er e e r e co e e ro the lin p in s, d iv d th i titl nf ss dly th ugh ’ a o e e all o e a r o m a as to the r n ti n s will, xtinguish d th s bsu d d g s ight of the a r arc a r c e of o er m e the kings, p t i h l p in ipl g v n nt, duty ec to m to ll ro or ers and the e c subj t sub it a yal d , lik , whi h had previously been never- failing pretexts f or sanctioning or ex o a o of co o a r ras in s a er ab so vi l ti ns nstituti n l ight, and g P g ft h of l am the ro e e o er. ee ce t e r lut p w Ind d, sin eign Wi li , yal h ads of our lim ite d monarchy have exercised little p ersonal interference in
a e aff a r . O ur s and ee e re the o er m e st t i s king qu ns hav igned, but g v n nt o f the co r has ee carr e on er who a e ee unt y b n i d by minist s, h v b n and ec ar n ess ily must b e dependent onParliament f or their tenure of office . N ot that the p ersonal O pinions or character of the sovereign of this “ c o r r canb a e m a and e unt y eve e bsolut ly uni p ortant . His h bits tast s
are a a m er of o or e and o e of m a o . cce to lw ys att s n t i ty, ft n i it ti n A ss oc e a a o e H m a e a acce a er his s i ty is lw ys c vet d . e y giv th t ss in a m nn l He m a ca to or c e o or a o e ff ere . usefu , mis hi v us, bs lut ly indi nt y ll his court those who are most distinguished by genius or by knowledge or o e o e o er e r r or e r o or ar e th s wh s nly m it is th i bi th th i stati n ; p asit s, ' b ufi oons fli tes the m e of er he or ro a . e o , p g Ev n in app int nt minist s, m a o e m He o e m e a e y s m ti e s e xercise a sort of selecti on . is s m ti s bl to e a f or a or r o the a of o e o he e and the d l y sh t pe i d f ll th s wh m lik s, acce ssion of those whom he dislik es ; and he cansometim es p erma ” nentl e c u e an a y x l d individu l . He can ee do m ore a ro e ar e are e r ind d th n this, p vid d p ti s n a ly a a ce the co r c a a e of the er o a b l n d in unt y . In su h st t things p s nal dh e re of the o ere and a ore or e ero of nts s v ign, ( a b nd m l ss num us such ere l a b e can ur ca e and e r e th th wil lways , ) t n the s l , d te min e adoption or rej ection of measure s of the greatest mom ent both in foreign and o e c o Th c . e e ce e erc e Geor e . er d m sti p li y influ n x is d by g III , in v y ’ cr ca m e m ea of the r e o or The iti l ti s, by ns king s f i nds is n t ious . ’ ower of dissolving Parliam ent is also a strong engine in the sovereign s ds ere he m a , wh by y prote ct himself from ministers personally dis a e u to him and at e the c a ce f e t st f l , gain l ast h n o s eing a House of o o re r e o e e el m a ar o e his own C mm ns tu n d wh s f ings y h m nis with . But the a o wi as e re e the two e e a m e if n ti nal ll, xp ss d by l gislativ sse bli s, is ec e and ro on one e of a e o a o o of d id d st ng sid qu sti n, and diss luti n Parliament only causes a solemn popular ratification of the expre ssion of a l the o e of om o the o ere u er o er th t wi l in H us C m ns, s v ign is tt ly p w
e . e he o er e ro er rre o b e . He is th l ss B ing thus p w l ss, is p p ly i sp nsi l at e
’ i ur or B u i i Ednb gh Re vi e w of L d ro gham s Pol t cal Philosophy . E 5 0 O F P ER . o r M HOUSE E S HOUSE COM ONS .
ea o er ea and e a o who ea are a r h d, but th s l d th y l ne l d nswe able f or the
course taken . O ur House O f Peers at the Re volution of 16 88 consisted of about e a nd 6 15 0 or a 2 o . a ore c t the ca e t mp l , bish ps I h ve bef indi a ed us s that or a e the ere r er e ra a igin lly mad English an h dita y Pe ag , and g du lly it b ecame a fixed maxim that the individual whom the sovereign sum o e ro a r to the o e of or ac re ere not m u d by his y l w it H us L ds, qui d th by only the right to sit in the particular Parliament during which the r e b r f or m e an e r to ec e and b e w it issu d, ut a ight hi s lf d h i s b om thence or a er f re e c or e r ee of u a e h f th pe o the alm . Th n ef th ve y p r f ll g as b een held entitled to his writ O f sum mons at the comm encement of every ar am e o not o er of ro to P li nt . But alth ugh it is in the p w the .C wn a the e er io of the o e of or c di old eer sw y d lib at ns H us L ds by ex lu ng p s, the prerogative of creating new temp oral peers at discretion has been re a e the ro o e ore an er R vo o o a t in d by C wn, b th b f d aft the e luti n, th ugh ’ ro ff r r o ut st ng e o t was made in George I . s eign t c down this important constitutional preregativ e . A bill limiting the House O f Lords after a er a cre a e o e b een a e to e ac a mb er v y sm ll in s sh uld hav m d its th n tu l nu s, ’ was ro or Sunderland s r c rr e ea b ught in by L d minist y , and a i d sily ro the er e o the om o or e f or th ugh Upp Hous , but l st in C m ns, f tunat ly the er of or r the e u e al f or er a e int ests all de s in stat , b t speci ly the p m n nt ere and e e ce of er o c t e e int st xist n that v y b dy, whi h h bill was design d
- with short sighted p olicy to strengthen . The H ouse of Com mons continued to consist of knights of the h r re of ' th and o o s Th ode r e e e c . e s i es , and p es ntativ s ities b r ugh m in c ar c l r oro c re o or re e the r of e n whi h p ti u a b ughs a qui d, l st, gaind ight s ndi g re res e a e e om e o of m a e e r c ica p nt tiv s, has b c a t pic co p rativ ly littl p a t l e e c h ro a a er th e int r st sin e t e Reform Bill . It seems p b ble th t und Plantagenets every town of any consequence received a writ dire cting it to return burgesses to Parliament ; but it is clear that from the very comm encem ent of our representative system s ome very inconsiderable a e re rne m m er om e m e t e e c or r al of pl c s tu d e b s . S ti s h n gligen e pa ti ity the sheriff s omitted towns that had formerly rece ived writs ; and f re e new or r o or or rom om qu ntly b oughs, as they g ew int imp tance, f s e m r e o e c u r the ra c i e o e ec o . Gr e c e p ivat m tiv , a q i ed f n h s f l ti n adually it b a a recognis ed principle that the right of a b oreugh to return members having once existed cannever b e lo st and none of the 111 cities and h s er towns which returned members at t e acce sion of Henry VIII . int r 1 mitted thei privilege down to 83 2.
e r a e a rem arka e roof a no ar of the k om u e c to H n y VIII . g v bl p th t p t ingd , s bj t the is a and ar iam e ar bur e ou to a its re re e a o Engl h l ws p l nt y th ns, ght w nt p s nt ti n, e e i the r of e e c io to e e of a e t e coun e O e e r by xt nd ng ight l t n th whol W l s, h ti s f Ch st nd i m b e ssib ie and o m ou and e e the o of B er c a a s . M n th, v n t wns wi k Cal It ight to race the rea o ou a e e er m e t an the cou of urham t s n , th gh I h v n v with y, why nty w The a ac m e f e o er ar to o er ee m as as passed over. tt h nt o thos n rth n p ts p p y s s
- e e omm o . ar . likely as any other. Thirty thr e were thus adde d to th C ns Edw d VI
rea e our ee orou s a d re tore n a had u e e r r e e . c t d f t n b gh , n s d te th t dis s d th i p ivil g
- ar a e e - one a e and J ame e se e m emb er . M y dd d tw nty , Eliz b th sixty, s tw nty v n s e e am e a er the re of e r These . acc ssions to th popular cham ber of parli nt ft ign H n y ere no m ea d er e ar r c e suc as had ue ce VIII . w by ns iv d from a popul p in ipl , h infl n d its ear c We ma u r a on rou f or th e r lier onstitution . y acco nt pe h ps this g nd w its a re a a re e to a er f ew o s uc as e mi er. But th e e O dd ss d , v y t wn , s h W st nst d sign f th t g t 5 1 M T S I B S . HOUSE OF CO MONS . VO ER N OROUGH
u of ne w m em e r rom e b orou c be a the or re o f infl x b s f p tty ghs, whi h g n in sh t igns ar and ar and co i ued u er za e h m u a e e e to e cure the Edw d M y, nt n nd Eli b t , st h v b n s
au or of o er m e e ec a the u cces e re o u o of re o . e th ity g v n nt, sp i lly in s siv v l ti ns ligi n Fiv m e re ur at the e - one towns only in Cornwall ad t ns accession of Edward VI . tw nty z e But the cou of or a was m ore m m e a e at the dea th of El i ab th . nty C nw ll i di t ly sub to a coerc e flue ce rou the e e and o re e ur c on iv in n , th gh ind finit pp ssiv j isdi ti
of e a nar cour . S m ar m o e we cou co er the e cre of o e st n y t i il tiv s, if ld dis v s ts th s er n ou e O e ra e m o o er c cu ee m to m e a e . gov n ts, d btl ss p t d in st th s s A slight diffi lty s s have be e n raise d in 15 6 3 ab out the introduction of re pre se ntatives from eight ne w b orou at o ce c ar er rom the cro b u w a e the c om ghs n by h t s f wn, t as soon w iv d with
a a ce u ua o e m e . a of the ow c had a a o e e r pl is n s l in th s ti s M ny t ns, whi h b nd n d th i privilege at a time whe n th ey were com pe lle d to the paym e nt of daily wage s to e r m em er d ur n the e s o ere no w e rou of re c o er e a th i b s i g s s i n , w d si s v ing it, wh n th t had and the ra c i e had e com e ua e he ou e out of ur e cea e a . t b th n s d f n h s b v l bl And h s ,
a our to o u ar r a o the re of am e . as a ri c e a f v p p l ights, l id it d wn in ign J s I p n ipl , th t e ver o c has at an m e re ur e m embe r to arl am e e e to y t wn, whi h y ti t n d s p i nt, is ntitl d The e n ue r to er or a m a e r f cour e . ea r accor i l writ as a tt o s sp k d g y iss d w its H tf d, d m e o er The re ora o om re l c e er an o ace on e r e o . P f t, I h st , s th pl s, th i p titi n st ti ns
of b orou m a er o to 16 4 1 are ee um er. ar e I . ghs in this nn , d wn , fift n in n b Ch l s , whose tem per inspire d him rather with a system atic abhorre nce of p arliam e nts a an o o of m a a em ue ce crea e no ne w orou th n with y n ti n n ging th by infl n , t d b ghs .
The r ee ou cer ai a e b ee u ed o e er re ue e erc e . ight ind d w ld t nly h v n disp t , h w v f q ntly x is d 16 7 3 the cou and c of Dur am c had ra e ee u re re e e In nty ity h , whi h st ng ly b n n p s nt d , to so a e anaera ere ra e b ac t of ar am e to the r e e of e r e o l t , w is d y p li nt p ivil g s th i f ll w u ec u e e m e w he of Ne ark . o th am a c ar er as ra e to t o s bj ts Ab t s ti h t g nt d t wn w , e a i to re ur e e a e m e o e c o at the n bl ng it turn two b g ss s . It p ss d with so e littl bj ti n m e but our ear a er ar a er two e a e was carr e onthe ue t o ti f y s ft w ds, ft d b t s, it i d q s i n, b 125 to 3 a r ue of the c ar er ra e to the o of N e ar y 7 , th t by vi t h t g nt d t wn w k , it a r to e bur e e to er e ar iam e N o a h th ight s nd g ss s s v in p l nt . twithst nding this ’ appare nt re cognition of the king s prerogative to summ on b urgesses from a town not re ou re re ene no a er a ce of e erc e has occurre and p vi sly p s t d, l t inst n its x is d it ou u ue io a a e b ee re e the comm o s not as u ar w ld nq st n bly h v n sist d by n , , is v lg ly u o e e cau e the act of u o Sc o a l m e the m e m er to s pp s d, b s ni n with tl nd i it d English b s 5 13 c is not the ca e b ut u o the roa m a m of e c u e r e e , (whi h s ,) p n b d xi s x l siv p ivil g in m at er re a i to e r own o y c the ou e was ecom e o er u t s l t ng th i b d , whi h h s b p w f l ” e ou to a er a a n the cro n gh ss t g i st wn .
There is considerable doubt as to the clas s of perso ns by whom the e r electoral franchis in bo oughs was originally exercised . Th e four principal conflicting theorie s onthe subj ect are state d at e and e r re ec c ai to our o o are r m l ngth, th i sp tive l ms ad pti n fai ly su med Sir am e up by Hallam . J s Mackintosh thought that from the earliest m to c oro ot r canbe r ce e ere of ti es whi h b ugh v e s t a d, th y w the same var e of as e a er e o R r o e i ty cl s s as in l t tim s b ef re the efo m Bill . In s m ce the r e e ot r the officer of co r ora o e pla s f e m n ; in he s , s a p ti n ; lse er ree o er r e e a co r to wh e, f h ld s, bu gag t nants, inh bitants nt ibuting public e e e or o er i a arc ffi e fi f xp ns , th nh bitants with sc ely su ci nt quali cation o ro er to aff ord a re o of e re e c e com p p ty p sumpti n fix d sid n y ; th se, and b inations of v r o o r s of ere rinci m a e o a i us s t them, w the p p cl ss s am ng ” o the e e i e r c e in he r m e s re wh m l ct v f an his was t ea liest ti s ha d . As o er of the o s of o o cr e o o o of the the p w H u e C mm ns in eas d, the c mp siti n e ectoral o c an o e t of r e onto the ro l b dies be ame bj c g owing att nti C wn, ' and e e i er s 1!1 or ar e u o eff r , sp c ally und the la t d s and the Stu ts, s d l us o ts we re made to mould and influence the municipal compo sition of tho se ar a e ar oro c er an w p li m nt y b ughs whi h w e also corporate cities d to ns . By
’ a m o u io l iii 5 3 . a a or v o . . . 3 H ll s C nstit t n l Hist y, p E 2 5 2 R T B S . UA I A I N A TS OT EN OROUGH ! L FIC T O C .
the ere r e of o er u a who o e th f u m inst um nts p w f l individu ls, wn d e ewho se s ’ em hi c a e a r of o n or who rc a e the suflra f in th w h g v ight v ti g, pu h s d g es o
- a e c e of e e ec e e ec or . e e c o e or ro littl liqu s lf l t d l t s Th s l s , tten boroughs as e ere a ar er e a e re ac e f h th y w f mili ly t m d, g v g at f iliti s or t e increase of the rec e ce of the ro e a o a o re th indi t influ n C wn, but th y ls f v u d e am bition of wealthy subjects ; and it is to b e b orne in mind that they p ecul iarly aided the eff orts of the com m erci al classes to raise themselves into an aF e ual the erri or a aristocrac . a the a e ere q ity with t t i l y This l st, l nd d int st, m ade in the ninth year of ! ueen Anne a great struggle to secure its a ce a c e c u the re of the co m rom ar am s nd n y, by x l ding st m unity f P li ent . With this view the landed gentry O btained the p assing of anA ct by c e er e er of the om m o e ce o e f or the er e whi h v y m mb C ns, x pt th s univ siti s, was re re to o e a of the re a ree o or co qui d p ss ss, if knight shi , f h ld pyhold e a e of c ear £ 6 00 er a m and re re e a e of a oro a st t l p nnu , , if p s nt tiv b ugh, a e a ca o to the am o n of £ 3 00 er a m er like l nd d qu lifi ti n u t p nnu . Th e had ee anol d a e of e r . re r co re re e a b n st tut H n y VI , qui ing unty p s nt tive s “ to b e c o e rom o a e or c as a b e a e t b e h s n f n t bl knights, su h sh ll bl o ” re o to th am f i e . a e e e o o £ 4 0 er a knights, ( . h v f h ld unt p nnum,) but a e had a l e o e e and the new l aw e f ar e o this st tut f l n int d suetud , w nt b y nd and o eff ec a carr e out a e co v er e our o e of it, w uld, if tu lly i d , h v n t d H us o an o e a o of a e o ar l aw om m o o c . C ns int di us d put ti n l nd d lig hs This , o e er has ee em a ca e a e nor are the ro o of the h w v , b n syst ti lly v d d, p visi ns m o er statute ' c has m a e er ona as e as rea ro er d n , j whi h d p s l w ll l p p ty o er f or r a e c m ore ef cac o a a in th qualify its wn pa li m nt, mu h fi i us in tt in g e o ro er o ec of c re r c o am e of re e n nly p p bj t su h st i ti ns, that, n ly, p v nti g r ro o a ea the o e Ne er of n eedy adventu ers f m bt ining s ts in H us . ith c a re re a m em er to o e the a ualifica the se A ts h ving qui d b p ss ss stipul ted q o r the m e a he co e to b e e er a a s has ti n du ing all ti th t ntinu s m mb , it lw y
‘ b een and is enough to p rocure f or the occasion a colourable transfer er o who rea o the re u e ro er c ra er f rom som e p s n lly h lds q isit p p ty, whi h t nsf rec the m em er has a e his ea is cancelled or rev ersed di tly b t k n s t . This practice may be alm ost said to have received the sanction of the legisla th o 2 G e . c . 3 0 was a oo ace e e 3 3 a e . a ture by wh t t k pl wh n , , p ss d Th t a c r a e ece ar f or the e e ec e e er to st tute, whi h fi st m d it n ss y n wly l t d m mb r his a c o on a hi s ea co a e e r swea to qu lifi ati n t king s t, nt in d, wh n it was fi st ro orwar a c a e re r e er e er who o at an b ught f d, l us qui ing v y m mb sh uld y e r the co a ce of the ar a e to c he was e ec e tim du ing ntinu n p li m nt whi h l t d, e o e of a e or a e e c r the e e c m a e s ll, disp s , li n, in nywis n umbe stat whi h d ca o to e er onoa a a e f or a new or r er his qualifi ti n, d liv in th st tem nt fu th qualification before he should again presume to sit or vote as a member e o the e re re ec e c se of the Hous of C mmons . But l gislatu j t d this lau ; and thus deliberately sanctioned the system by which m en of no
’ Se e a am o u o al or v ol . . . 4 02. H ll s C nstit ti n Hist y, iii p
. 8 . + 1 & 2 Vict c. 4 5 3 SEPTENNIAL ACT .
ro r who e r e confi c e r pe ty, but can find w althy f i nds with den e in th i p "e onour O a e as m em er . , bt in s ats English b s Th the ra o of r a e e o a o to e laws which regul ate du ti n Pa li m nt, b l ng ls and the period between the revolution and the accession of George III . ; u o a m or a ce a e e r e to are not onl y of g reat constit ti n l i p t n , but h v giv n is ere o ne of the practical political questions of the present tim e . Th is ’ 2 c r f . 2 c . ananc e a te o ar Il . s re 5 9 i nt st tu Edw d ign ( E , T), whi h is p in ci all c o rm a o O f M a a ar a c co a at c o e p y a nfi ti n gn Ch t , but whi h nt ins its l s the following additional provisions : Forasm uch as m any pe ople b e ’ r e e the m er a r re ec to c agg i v d by king s inist s ag inst ight, in sp t whi h grievances no one canrecove r without a com m on p arliam ent we do o n hol a ar am e o ce the ear or ce rdai that the king shall d p li nt n in y , twi w 3 ee b A nd a a e of the e re 4 Ed . c . if n d e . st tut n xt ign ( , or a a ar a e a b e o e e er ear o ce and ore dains th t p li m nt sh ll h ld n v y y n , m ” e e c are enera o e to a e o ro o ften if need b e . Th s A ts g lly supp s d h v nly p vided a ere o b e ana a ee O f ar ia e and not th t th sh uld nnu l m ting p l m nt, ar er a e e that there should b e a new parliam ent every ye . C t inly th s a e had ee e er e e e ee e rac ce ere was st tut s b n in ith s ns littl h d d in p ti , and th no explicit enactment as to how often there should b e a new parliam ent il h ar m unt the Triennial Bill of 164 2 was passe d by t e Long P lia ent . ’ Af ter the restoration this salutary statute was rep ealed at the king s ’ ec a n n f s ar am e c was o re e a d o e o ar e Il . sp i l qu st Ch l s p li nts, whi h f und em e o a corr e ro o e m c e o e e ce in ntly l y l and uptibl , was p l ng d in is hi v us xist n f or th f the ear er th e enormous p eriod o seventee n years . In y aft e Great Revolution a bill was brought in and passed both Houses to limit the ura o of ar am o r e ear am re u e d ti n p li e nt t th e y s . King Willi f s d his assent to it ; but the Comm ons renewed their exertions ; the repeate d e erc e of the ro a e o o a e ee er o to o e or and x is y l v t w uld h v b n p il us its p ss ss , a r e a eca l aw 16 4 But 1 1 was T i nni l Bill b me in 9 . in 7 7 it deem ed unsaf e by the ministers of the newly arrived Hanoverian King to risk a e era e e c o and the ce e ra e e e a A ct was a e c g n l l ti n, l b t d S pt nni l p ss d, whi h has er o oo firm ai the re a hith t st d ag nst pe ted attempts that have been a e to o a re r to r e ia ar i m e m d bt in a tu n t i nn l p l a nts . N ot wishing to com plicate this work by the discussion of Sco tch o r r o c r o e a o er the A ct of o i co a as I ish t pi s, I pu p s ly p ss v Uni n w th S tl nd, s a re e a o er the m ar A ct re ar to re a I h ll p s ntly p ss v si il with g d I l nd . The e ce of the e c a s e c had ee rea influ n middl l s s, whi h b n g tly deve lop ed and augm ented during the p eriod between the Great Revolution and the acce o of G or e . crea e a ra acce era e r ssi n e g III , in s d in pidly l t d atio during the o and e e re of a - e o e o ere l ng v ntful ign the l st m nti n d s v ign . The e e o of co erce and m a ac re a er the rea xt nsi n mm nuf tu s, ft t ty of ar 176 3 was ra and rece e e ar e m P is, in , pid unp d nt d . L g anufacturing and com m erc a o aro e all ar of the co r the i l t wns s in p ts unt y, inhabitants f o which were but little influen ce d by tho se p owerful ties which g ene
ra co e ana r c ra o l o the er or a - ow er lly nn ct g i ultu l p pu ati n with sup i l nd n s . With the increase of O pulence and p opulation consequent upon the i cr of f ac re and r e e c o and the e re f o n ease manu tu s t ad , du ati n d si o p litical
See Sm o e Bo 1 5 6 o c . 3 e c . ll tt, k iii . , s t . ' a utes of the e al m . 165 . 1 St t R , i 5 4 P W O F DD OLA ssss. THE I O ER MI LE REFORM B LL .
o ecam e m or e era ff e inf ormati n b e g n lly di us d . The p ress a cquired
e ce . o ca o r a ere e a e great influ n P liti l j u n ls w st blish d in every consider, e o w ic th c c of c m enand the o abl t wn, in h h e ondu t publi p licy of all the re o o er e ere ree a a h measu s f g v nm nt w f ly c nv ssed . T e improved facili tie s of internal communication aff orded the means of conveying intel ligence with astonishing rapidity from one part of the country to a o er so a m o er on b e a to a e ere not onl n th th t st p s s g n t k an int st, y in a was o on ro em l c aff a r and he con wh t g ing a und th , but in pub i i s, in t he e u cerns of the remotest p art of t mpire . Prej dice s and establishe d of a l r re O e a ac e The O pinions l so ts we p nly tt k d . structure of the o ca a r c the r r e e of the iff ere r and p liti l f b i , and ights and p ivil g s d nt anks or er of oc e ere ec e to a earc n e a o e r d s s i ty, w subj t d s hing i v stig ti n, and th i claim to respect began to b e tried by reference to their usefulness rather
a e r . c O o re e ro the e of th n th i antiquity Publi pini n, exp ss d th ugh m dium a o a diff ere c n e ec e c ec onthe e ec e carce th us nd nt ha n ls, b am a h k x utiv s ly “ er o in ef cac to the e e ce of a o ar er inf i r fi y xist n p pul assembly . Und such circum stance s we need not wonder that the enterprising citiz ens of rea a u ac r and com erc o a c e er Birmin g t m n f tu ing m ial t wns, as M n h st , g ham effie &c e ai ore di e at e e the , Sh ld, f lt d ly m ssatisfi d b ing d nied r e e o e e so a er or oro of e re re e a p ivil g p ss ss d by m ny inf i b ughs, s nding p s nt
tive o the o e of om o . e e a r er ca s t H us C m ns Th y b g n, du ing the Am i n ‘ war ublicl to m e e r a e ce c e c o , p y anif st th i imp ti n at su h x lusi n and, er o e c e r r e r ea and e r d iving c nfid n e from th i numbe s, th i w lth, th i e e ce e ro ec e e r c a to ar c a e rec the int llig n , th y p s ut d th i l ims p ti ip t di tly in p rivilege s of the constitution with a boldness which would p robably a e ee o a o cce ro re O f eace l ref or o h v b n l ng g su ssful, if the p g ss p fu mati n had not e arr e the o e e of the Fre re o The be n est d by vi l nc nch v lution . a arm o c s o e e e nd the war a re out of l s c a i n d by that v nt, a th t g w it, suspended f or a while the dem and f or a rem odelling of the rep re
senative . er the eace of 18 15 e e o c a o t system But aft p , th s s li it ti ns ere re we the re o a ene of the c a e the w ne d ; and as n bl ss l im, unit d with great accession of p opular influence and the excitement o ccasioned by he 183 r an the o e e s ont o 0 e , m v m nt C ntinent in , made it imp ud nt y longer to disregard Th e passing of the Reform Bill is aneve nt too recent to make any ro ere er detailed narration respecting it nece ssary or p p er h . But th e are one or two facts connected with the m ode in which that great a r was c rr e hi ee of er or c e m e su e a i d, w ch have b n p manent imp tan , o n of e the e of or an e and des erve a brief allusi n . O e thes is syst m g is d a a o wa e c e e m o f or rs me git ti n, which s th n su c ssfully pl yed the fi t ti in
Enland to o o c o ec . o er the o e hic the g , btain a p liti al bj t An th is m d in w h e e of the ere ar r c of th l r o ed acquiesc nc h dit y b an h e legis atu e was btain , a e a er o r e ro the o ere nto the os c ve n m ly, by p s nal equ st f m s v ig m t a ti e of the ea re to a a ro o e e r con e opp on nts m su bst in f m v ting, l st th i tinu d O pp osition to the popular will should force the sovereign to swam p the Hou se of Lords by a huge creation of new p eers f or the purp ose of
- ir di e ac er out voting the old ones . A th d is the in sputabl f t that a v y slight concession of Reform at an early p eriod would have satisfied
accu c M llo h .
P A S M DD A S RESENT GRIEV NCE OF THE I LE CL SSE .
184 6 the m e c a e emse e carr e Free r e in iddl l ss s by th lv s i d T ad . It is not m eant by this that the Free Trade measure s did not receive the or o f a m e er of the er or er a supp t m ny mb s high d s, but th t they were a all the or of the m enof the a subst nti y w k middle r nks . But a o the e c a e e ro to co e f or , lth ugh middl l ss s, wh n b ught mbin a rea rac c r o e ear of a a o and u or a a g t p ti al pu p s by y s git ti n, by skilf l g niz o ac e la e o m e of eal and a can m a e ti n b k d by vish mpl y nt w th bility, thus k e r rre ear the co c O f the a o th e old th i wills i sistibly h d in un il n ti n, e r ocrac re e orm o re and O o e t v er land d a ist y tains n us st ngth, pp s s o e y ea re of c a e e re o er of c the ac e o m su h ng a hug sisting p w , whi h tiv h stility ” e or a e a Via Inertiae e er re e o ru is l ss f mid bl th n its , its v p s nt bst ctive e e the o ar orc ac m ul o and re re n ss whil p pul f e ts by i p se nly, qui s either
ec a e c e e or o - co e a a o to ro e o sp i l x it m nt l ng ntinu d git ti n us it int life . By the extent to which the p ower of the English aristocracy has survived the Re or the re c o of the o e r a and the o e f m Bill, p di ti ns vi l nt pa tis ns vi l nt of a m ea re a ee e N O pp onents th t su h ve b n equally contradict d . ot that there ever was or is now any antipathy b etween the higher and middl e or er co r . The m a or of ro e o a men d s in this unt y j ity English p f ssi n l , ra er and eo e are wi na are e ro a the ar ocrac t d s y m n, lling, y, d si us th t ist y h e n shoul d b e Splendidly p owerful . But still t e f eli g is general amongst em and co a a ro a the a e r ocrac e erc e th , ntinu lly g ins g und, th t l nd d a ist y x is s an e a o n of e ce our e a o and a the e ce of undu m u t influ n in l gisl ti n, th t x ss e m a c e a that influence is f lt in ny mis hi vous ways . Thus it is com m on subj ect of com plaint that the burden of taxation is thrown in a very r ro or o o the e c a e e e a the em of unfai p p ti n up n middl l ss s, sp ci lly by syst ctin er o a ro er to e e ac ro a e e g all p s n l p p ty h avy l g y and p b t duti s, from which the e state s of the lande d gentry and nobility are wholly o er tax c ca e em orar c re free . An th , whi h is ll d t p y, but whi h is sadly su er ane the co e Tax n the m o n o O re o to b e p m nt , In m , i flicts st i iquit us pp ssi n the m e c a e as com are the o wer as e as the up on iddl l ss s, p d with l w ll with n e r a m er er et e re on. o ee how upp e , that i ist v y v ntu d It sh ws, ind d, ' firmly state smen tru st in the loyalty of the classe s which they venture
o r e . here are o er o of com a c the thus t bu d n T th t pics pl int, su h as of the re e e ec ora e c ea e rea m er of working p s nt l t l syst m, whi h l v s g t nu b s
f e e ce e ca o and om e ro ert o di f ra c e . m eno int llig n , du ti n, s p p y, wh lly s n his d ee e to reca a e c ec i ace o But it is n dl ss pitul t su h subj ts in th s pl , b th by r o or e and on accou of the ac a the e reason of thei n t i ty, nt f t th t middl a e the ea e r a co o to ro ec em classe s h v m ns in th i h nds, nstituti nally, p t t th selves and to redress the grievances which they com plain of although it is undoubtedly anevil and a hardship onthem that they cannot do this without leagues and agitations and all their accom panying annoyances . While the desire and determination are rapidly increasing among the c a to eff ec r er o o a Re orm m a b e a e middle l sses t fu th C nstituti n l f , it y s f ly ' asserted that the wish f or organic changes is at present rare am ong ee as rom e was ar e a our a ce or e them . We f l , C w ll w n d th t n st s f lt old e eredi ar o ar a e to the co r that our limit d h t y m n chy is bl ssing unt y, if it b e only onaccount of the quiet and good order which its principle e o re co re the m c e c o o o of succ ssi n insu s, mpa d with is hi f whi h w uld f ll w if the po st of chief m agistrate among us were to b e intrigued f or by the 5 7 BENEFITS OF THE CROWN AND HOUSE OF LORDS .
r a er of c or o f or o o er . re r ingle d s lubs, f ught by ambiti us s ldi s With ga d to the o e of or the ece of eco e e am er H us L ds, n ssity a s nd l gislativ Ch b is alm ost universally admitted nor could we fram e One that would
or e ter t a our re e t ee ra e . c eco a er w k b t h n p s n P g Su h a s nd Ch mb , in r e b e f the ea use m u not b e a m ere c e of the o e o d r to o l st , st dupli at H us of om m o b ut e ec e b e e the er c e a e e ec e C ns, must, if l tiv , , lik Am i an S n t , l t d by a more lim ited and O pulent b ody of voters than that which elects
u e of om o e - e a the Ho s C m ns . But it is s lf evid nt th t in this country an u er o e e ec e o e the ea c as of the com pp H us , l t d s l ly by w lthy l s munity, oul b e e ore o rc c and o r c e to Re or a w d infinit ly m liga hi al bst u tiv f m, th n h f or has e n The o f t e o e o er ee . o or ee at H us L ds v b H use L ds, ind d,
re e o eore cal co - e a the o e O f om m o p s nt, th ugh th ti ly qu l with H us C ns, o or o and a o edl th ea e of the two and e wa is n t i usly v w y e w k st , giv s y nd e ra e ff ere ce of O o a e ace when any serious a d libe t di n pini n t k s pl . All a nw oe and al l a c a to do to c ec a e a th t it o d s, th t it l ims , is h k h sty l gisl on and to e an o ortl m it f or an a ea to the eo e a ti , giv pp y pp l p pl by ar am the a o e co r the dissolution of P li ent . If n ti n th n nfi m voice of f or er re re e e re—e ec e or re r n m en its m p s ntativ s , by l ting th m, by tu ni g of m i ar r c e the or own a e are o to e wa si l p in ipl s, L ds th t th y b und giv y ar and e era e e re o of the o ar l Th to the cle d lib t xp ssi n p pul wi l . e e a e the o e of eer on the rece Free ra e re d b t s in H us P s nt T d measu s, a e of rea co o a ere o of vie Th h ve b en g t nstituti n l int st in this p int w . e c m o the er o e of the a e ar ocrac o ha pi ns in upp H us l nd d ist y, th ugh e a er e r e had a or of the eer who th y ss t d with t uth that th y a m j ity P s, e r e r ere a o r of the or a e er e out in th i h a ts w in f v u C n L ws, n v h ld the idea or the hope that the H ouse of Lords could perm anently the Fr e ra e o e e u o the a o to b e ea stop e T d m v m nt, s pp sing n ti n st dily r a e c a e a resolve d onforwa ding it . All th t th y l im d was nO pp ortunity of taking the sense of the p eople onthe subj ect by rej ecting the p ro osed act o ce and co e the er to tr a e era e ec o n , mp lling Minist s y g n l l ti n ’ or e or o of the Hou se of C omm ons . L d Stanl y s w ds nthis subj ect are so explicit that I will quote a short passage from the speech of that em inent p arty- leader in O pposition to the second reading of the
r m or a o M a 25 th 184 6 . C o n I p t ti n Bill, y , or s o an of the co o e of My L d , if I kn w ything nstituti nal valu this o to er o e a a ar o ac e to ra and co era H use, it is int p s s lut y bst l sh in nsid te “ legislation ; it is to protect the p eople from the consequence s of m r e e r has ee the co r e f their owni p ud nce . It n ve b n u s o this House to re con e e era e e re e c O o Y sist a tinu d and d lib t ly xp ss d publi pini n . our or a a e o e and a a b ow to th L dships alw ys h v b w d, lw ys will , e expression of such anopinion ; but it is yours to check hasty legislation leading ” to irreparable evils . O f co r e e rt e are at all a e o r as u s wh n pa i s equ lly balanc d in the c unt y, was the case during the violent but temporary reaction towards C on s ervatism e wee 18 3 4 184 2 the o of or can erem , b t n and , H use L ds p p the a e of an ea r torily determine f t y m su e . N or canit be thought wrong h that they should do so . T e middle classe s have no right to exp ect e r to o h e a ed o o th i will be beyed, w il th t will is divid r d ubtful . But z g Eq i "
a ar v ol . 86 H ns d , , p . P I I A ' I T OL T C L FEEL NGS OF HE LOWER ORDERS .
e r a cal ta e re se the eer when th i will is emph ti ly and unmis k ably exp s d, P age a e er to the o e - o wns th t it must d f it, and m st s tr nuous middle class rdl f or ore D emocrat canha y wish m . ro the a e rom the l o of r a a o rers It is f m m ss s, f mi li ns a tis ns and l b u , that the new formidable movements originate which compel attention ; and the re e o o e and ri hts of the a e re ec to p s nt p siti n, duti s, g m ss s in sp t o o are c e er ora nor the English C nstituti n things, whi h it is n ith m lly just p olitically expedient to neglect . This practical inquiry is clo sely connected with the investigations the rece or o of or We a which have occupied p ding p ti ns this w k . h ve r c t e or O f o o the r e e o e t a ed h igin the English C nstituti n, and fi st d v l pm nt of r c e a m e e the e or s o con its p in ipl s, at ti wh n n wly f med Engli h nati n sisted of not m ore than two or three millions of human beings one a at of o ere a ec e of r o e the o er h lf least wh m w in an bj t stat se fd m, whil th ” the ree e of the a the er o e of a a r a half, f m n l nd, Lib i h min s M gn Cha t , ere o ro and o er l aro c r a w divided int p ud p w fu b ns, ea h gi t with his b nd of armed retainers and p ersonal dependents into sm al ler landowners e qual in birth but inferior in po ssession to the great peers into a class of l l r o er of our ree eo r sti l sma le wn s land, f y man y,
’ n a e cul ar and a ro r a e o E gl nd s p i pp p i t s ns, ” ow no o er a Kn n in th l nd,
and into citizens and burgess es who were beginning to revive the old
Ro e of c a e - o er to re- e the man syst m muni ip l s lf g v nment, and awak n S r of o erc a e er r F r r e o e pi it c mm i l n gy and ente prise . i st f am d in th s
ro e e f or a ca - or e o l a o our con t ubl d tim s, and th t s nty and ill ass t d p pu ti n, s titutionhas e the a O f c a io m er and expand d with exp nse ivilis t n, nu b s, p ower ; and while it has preserved all its inte gral parts and all its r r r e it has ecom e the o er e of and f or the p ima y att ibut s, b g v nm nt us, e c a of i e o of a o middl l sses the s xte n milli ns this mighty English n ti n,
o e a e a ar r o are o er- re din wh s langu g , l ws, ts, a ms, and instituti ns v sp a g
e er re o of or . r e r al et rem a ee v y gi n the w ld But its g av st t i y ins, and s ms i e to ro to ee e our o o a l k ly be b ught a sp dy issu . Can C nstituti n ad pt e to the ro c a of the o er or r as has to the ro its lf g wing l ims l w de s, it g wing c a of the mi e or er or b e e er ar e orce l ims ddl d s ; , must it ith gu d d by f a a e r a ul or rre ere to e m not or e re g inst th i ssa ts, su nd d th as w th b ing p er e at c a r ce — Inot er or a new e ocrac ! s v d su h p i h w ds, wh t is the d m y A re its existence and growth necessarily incompatible with the m ainte ! a c of our o o so the new e ocrac to b e co erce n n e C nstituti n And, if , is d m y d o r th e Constitution to b e abandone d ! These are questions which it is o o to S r r to c em e imp ssible l ng hi k, and it is bette dis uss th with p ns than w ith pikes . Great as is the contrast between the p o sition and importance of the e c e co are e r a o a ce r middl lasses at this tim , mp d with th i situ ti n ntu y a o we see a e t ore o e o e we om re o er g , ch ng s s ill m m m nt us wh n c pa the l w a i er oc orders of the present d y w th the lower classes of the form ep h . h o status of the c a e ro e oll T e p litical middle l sses has b e n imp v d, but the p c status of the o er or er ee cre e and r e ti al l w d s has b n at d ; thei might, lik a of the A loidee e et a c the er o er i th t , whil y in its inf n y, fills high p w s w th
c o er a o . N o one r u o r c the nst n ti n , du ing the constit ti nal st uggles whi h 0 A D A A T T W D 5 9 CH NGE CH R C ER OF HE LO ER OR ERS .
rea ro s e e o a o the ol of the of g t Ba n h ad d, th ught b ut p itics villeins the co nr N o one of the e r the eom a r the r who u t y . g nt y, y n y, and t adesmen ro e a i the ar e er c i e ol ca o r f or st v ga nst Stu ts, v la m d p iti l p we the artifice s of the & o labourers and common r tim N thing indeed or c o o er r er of er o exceed the sc n with whi h Milt n, and th w it s that p i d ' ” ” A n lzcano s e of the ere Plebs o Pro O ulO . T co o p p g , p ak m me d wn earer to our own— to the r ear of the re of Ge r e to tim es n fi st y s ign o g III . - e e r a o o o ca co ro r hot e o ighty y a s g , th ugh p liti l nt ve sy was n ugh, and thou gh the territorial aristocracy was rapidly giving way to the new m en ro the ce ra e no one e er ar or re m of the o r f m nt l fil s, v he d d a ed l we o c N O a e e o a orders meddling with p liti s . st t sm n th ught th t ploughmen and j ourneymen mechanics even knew what the Parliamentary franchise ea m a e e f or and e of e had m nt, uch less th t th y wish d it, l ast all that th y any p o ssible right to it . But things are wholly altered since then ; and we live in a very diff erent ag e to that inwhich Blackstone coul d complacently remark to his e - re die ce at O or r e o the o a o of w ll b d au n xf d, that inqui i s int f und ti n ” r ou e and e ro o co o e ights w ld be us less, ev n t ubles me, in mm n lif , and “ e the a of a oul O e that it was w ll that m ss m nkind sh d b y the laws, e a e o cr too e re o f or wh n m d , with ut s utinising minut ly the as ns ” c a c o to ordi a e of making them . Su h ap theti submissi n the n nc s e r s ter no o er e er can a n th i suppo ed bet s l ng xists, and nev exist ag i , ’ ere r no r or r am ong our lower orders . Th we e Cha tists T ades Unions no c odi f e c o e ro e . re co t b e e or o e wh n Bla kst n w t The uld su h b s, s ci ty e f e then contained not their materials . Th rudiments o ducation were r re to b e o a o the er or r of our ar e o and a ly f und m ng inf i a tisans l g t wns, e e were almo st wholly unknown among the p easantry . Th r must have e e e as now c o er c ff er c r at b n th n, , mu h p v ty, mu h su ing, mu h epining e r ownlot e of the ore f o r th i , much nvy m a fluent and p we ful but the idea of mutual combination and j oint efforts to O btain the right of o and the o e r of a r the e of o r e was e v ting p w lte ing syst m g ve nm nt, nev r he e r of the o heard of among them . T hug g owth p pulations of our m f c r o n e era cr e the er of the anu a tu ing t w s, the g n l in eas in numb s whole eo e the ro re of io a e r ee p pl , p g ss educat n (l m ntably impe fect as it has b n, e ec f or the e o ec of e c o th e r of sp ially b st bj ts du ati n), sp inging up a cheap ’ r a c ea r re the r er c p ess and h p lite atu , unive sal f ment aused in men s er ca War of e the r minds by the Am i n Ind pendence, and by up ising of the
— - fierce democracy of France the se and other well known caus es have m e the o er or er of En now o e ad l w d s glishmen what we beh ld th m . The a of co a o c e e a r of s ro e h bit mbin ti n whi h th y hav cqui ed, it elf p v s the re t th e g a ness of e change . This new t ndency of our masses to act or ise o e has e l ro a in gan d b di s, b en fu ly p ved by the thous nds ’ who o e the o ca o re e a j in d in p liti l uni ns, which p c ded, and in the tr de s u o c o o e the of the R orm h e ni ns whi h f ll w d, passing ef Bill . T e hundr ds of o a who are now e ro r th us nds n lled as Cha tists confirm it . And we see indeed this formidable me thod followed up f or any purpo se which interests any considerable number of O peratives in any of our r o h of co i n of of eb of la ge t wns. T is habit mb ni g, planning, d ating,
’ B acks o e a l t n s Comme nt rie s. “ ’ 6 0 IS THE PEOPLE S CHARTER CONSTITUTIONAL !
r and co c the o a c and ca chi er o ganising, ndu ting dipl m ti fis l ma n y, which a oc a o o e er a re r at o ce the r e very ss i ti n, h w v sm ll, qui es, is n e sult and the a instrument of political e ducation . The m sses that have acquire d it ' b o c c e r e r a are re to e c b e f or oo o . su p liti ally a tiv , whethe th i tivity g d r f or evil . ee a o the eff ec of the Re or hic e D ply dis pp inted with t f m Bill, w h th y had e e to f or o er rea o e of the or m h lp d win th s, g t b di s w king en ' ro o the co r e ec a e o a e f or the a ten th ugh ut unt y , sp i lly in th t wns, h v l st years leagued themselves as supp orters of a new Reform Bill of their ’ own er the m e of the eo e ar er. oc e was , und na P pl s Ch t This d um nt ra 18 3 m em er of ar e and or m en d wn up in 7, by six b s P liam nt six w king , and these Articuli Pl eb is claim the following well- known six points — h f the eo e l st . er a f ra e 2nd a as t e rights o p pl Univ s l Su f g ; . Annu l d a e re e a o ra ar am e 3 r . R ec o r 4 h P li nts ; Equ l p s nt ti n by El t l Dist icts t .
th N O ro er fic o and 6 th . Vote by B allot 5 . P p ty !uali ati n Paym ent m r O f Me b e s . Is this new Charter constitutional ' In the fi rst pl ace we m ay observe that in its term s it in no way
o a e the co o . e er ro e e to a ac the rown nor vi l t s nstituti n It n ith p f ss s tt k C , Th e e er of no on f the House of Lords . l tt e o its articles contraven e s any of tho se primary prin ciples which we have deduced from the or i l a a ar a of o race rou our sub s ig na M gn Ch t King J hn, and t d th gh e u h or the e er of a ro o e quent constit tional ist y . But l tt p p s d m easure is e We e a not s olely to b e consider d . m ust examin its spirit lso and if we find that its certain eff ect would b e to render the future peaceful or of our co o o e are o to re ec w king nstituti n imp ssibl , we b und j t it as o a unconstituti n l . “ ’ Two of the p oints of th e People s Charter— the abolition of the r er a ca o f or em er and the re ora o of the p op ty qu lifi ti n m b s, st ti n system of m em er e a a e e r co e are er c b s b ing p id w g s by th i nstitu nts, p fe tly m a b e o of e r m o e o a e a e er orta ce . un bj cti n bl , wh t v y th ught th i uni p n a ar ia e ou b e co e e and m o o er of Annu l p l m nts w ld in nv ni nt, st l v s p eace and e e o re r to the r e e e o qui tn ss, w uld think a tu n t i nnial syst m n ugh
a ar a e o e er ca e a re o o . o e but annu l p li m nts w uld n v us , v luti n V t by a o c em e the or a ce of c ro o erra e o b ll t is a s h , imp t n whi h is g ssly v t d b th no ar m do o o . co do m e oo by friends and f es It uld h m, and ight s g d . ere ore an rea er of the eo e ask f or e o If, th f , y g t numb p pl it, th y ught m dl e c a ea and to a e . ee a re ro a h v it Ind d, it is id l ss m su , will p b bly oo b e carr e e e e of the ar . The Ballot an s n i d, ind p nd ntly Ch tists w is e t ma e ec o e ure and ar e to the o er att mpt o ke l ti ns qui t, p , h ml ss v t s ; and to ca c ana em un- and nco o a one of ll su h tt pt English u nstituti n l, is ‘ ' he or ece of ora c e er ca e in co r ‘ Th t w st pi s ign nt ant v nt d this unt y . e article of the Charter which require s equal rep resentation by equal e ec ora r c as ro o e to er e e the o e of the re en l t l dist i ts, p p s d sup s d wh l p s t re re e e e of co and oro O e to er ra e p s ntativ syst m unties b ughs, is p n v y g v ' e a a of ld oca a oc a o an obj ections . It would sw ep way host o l l ss i ti ns d local ties that have beneficially influenced f or centuries each shire and o a c e e o e o th each burgher community . It w uld b e a gig nti d v l pm nt f e r c e O f ce ra a o a r c e c has ee er o e p in ipl nt lis ti n, p in ipl whi h b n hith t l ss a o a o o of o e ce our dmitted into our instituti ns th n int th se any nati n, x pt 0 6 1 MISCHIEF OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE .
kinsm en the Anglo - Americans and to the j ealous restriction of which * a ow our capability f or free government is considered to b e m inly ing . oul r th r e a o of the a e ere c was It w d de st oy e epre s nt ti n l nd d int st, whi h the prim ary germ of the House o f Comm ons ; f or it woul d swamp the rural votes innearly every district by a certain prep onderance of town not the r ar c e of the e ec o r . But o o r er l t s this is m st imp tant ti l Cha t , n the one c h f o the a o r is it whi h its adherents care t e most r. It is cl im O f er al f r e c e o on and c o er of Univ s Su f ag whi h th y m st insist , whi h a l v the co o m l o o o nstituti n is bound the mo st p ere ptori y t pp se . A House of o o e ec e er a ff ra e o on the r C mm ns l t d by univ s l su g , w uld, fi st o of e e e c on m e e the eer o e sympt m ind p nd nt a ti anif st d by P s, v t an Upper House usele ss and woul d abrogate it as unceremoniously as was o e ere the e of the R m ar m e or was o e d n h in tim u p P lia nt, as d n in ar a f ew o 0 The ro o l oo o o the coro e P is m nths . C wn w u d s n f ll w n ts , and we shoul d b e cursed with the factions and civil conflicts arising out a dif c e ou o of the election of a Pre sident . Financi l fi ulti s w ld s on suggest the f acility of saving 28 millions of taxes by repudiating the a h r o r N o a e . t e r e o ar c e a our c edi ti n l D bt At fi st st p t w ds su h pudi ti n, t and our comm erce would b e p aralyse d ; and the calam ity of national a r c ou a e not onthe a e ar ocrac as b nk upt y w ld f ll in full w ight, l nd d ist y, some advocates of a gradual application of the sponge strangely
o e on the m e c a e who or e - e of the supp s , but iddl l ss s, f m nin t nths a o a r o e to r e the e c of r n ti n l c edit rs . It is n edless pu su sk t h uin and e r a nd re c m an e he o ar er. N o e ca e a e d g ad ti n f th du t d fl ting , unl ss is e er a o m i or a Red Re ca can oo on the r of ith C m un st, publi n, l k g ant universal suff rage as less than anact not merely of constitutional but o f a o a c n ti n l sui ide . O nthe o er a the ro ec ai u to ro f or th h nd, p sp t is p nf l a gene us, and ’ midabl e to a r e of ee the or c a ro p ud nt mind, s ing w king l sses g w gradually more and more alienate d from the upper and middl e orders nor is the consciousne ss pleasing that we live amid the sullen hatred of a a or of our co r m e om our u er or or a at o a o e m j ity unt y n, wh s p i g nis i n l n re e ro e c rom a e ee e r r om e p v nts f m xa ting f us wh t th y d m th i ights, in s what the sam e manner as that in which the b arons extorted the first Grea ar er ro o at R e e f or the or e of t Ch t f m King J hn, unnym d . As h d s ro e and ruffians m r o oc e a a co a e and gu s wh s i ty lw ys nt ins amid its d gs, who com e or ar ea o of c e e er re e of o cal f w d in all s s ns ex it m nt, und p t xt p liti r o e no re a e a of er we ow a e r pu p s s, but with al aim s v th t plund , kn th t th i e m b e e ec e b e er coerce e er e e nmity ust xp t d, and must st nly d by v y s ttl d go vernm ent . And we must expect to b e obliged to apply almost equal coerc onto o e a a c and e who n er the e of o i th s f n ti s dup s, u d titl C mmunists, oc a O e e Fourrierit & re c o r e er e of es c . S i lists, w nit s, , , p a h d ct in s subv siv all oc a ec r and all m ora o a o e e m enare the e e s i l s u ity l blig ti n . Th s en mi s ' not of an ar c ar f e o o er m e of oc e e . e y p ti ul syst m g v n nt, but s i ty its lf Th y a re o ar o a . e e a e of e er law its v lunt y utl ws Th y are b yond the p l v y , a and e h c e ee e e r e hum n divin , w i h th y s k to de stroy and wh n th y int ud o the o f c a nor rc o o e er ar e e . int f ld ivilis ti n, th y deserve neith p l y m y f ar diff ere ee e oul re r o r But it is with nt f lings that w sh d ga d the s be ,
’ ” ' See De Toc uevill e s ork merica asszxm. q w on A , p DI A E PR P D 62 REME L R FORM O OSE .
' r - or i llio o e m anual toil a our a o a honest, ha d w k ng mi ns, wh s he ps up n ti n l wealth ; who contribute to our taxes in the price of every nece ssary who r and and sc o ca e e of the of lif e ead, study, di uss the p liti l v nts ro ere and e ce who c se e do no t day with g wing int st int lligen ; but , be au th y
1 o om e a o re oro or o a or - rent a £ 0 h use in s f v u d b ugh, h ld f ty shilling e o are e r e of all o ce e e the cho c of the fre h ld, d p iv d v i and influ nc in i e ’ e people s Parliamentary representativ s . ’ How are these men s claims to b e reconciled with the safety of our on a er o l the r of the C o st o ar in instituti s I nsw , C nsu t spi it n ituti n ; be ro e of r r o ear a o mind the p ved valu its p ima y instituti ns b in mind, ls , its principle of expansion and development and the true solution of es ffi b e ee to o the a o o of o e m ea re th e di culties will s n c nsist in d pti n s m su s, which shall accord a share of political p ower to the classes which have e a a e o o if e o acr c to e the bee n n wly w ken d int p litical l , with ut s ifi ing th m L et ha other orders of the community . w t De Montfort did f or the now o e f or ar a c e ur r b e o rers. Le t itiz ns and b ghe s, d n the tis ns and lab u it b e do ne on the old constitutional plan of not letting the N ew crush the O ld of r o t r e the O ld the cor ora , but en va ing and st ength ning by in p w Do not r ce the on o t h o of the N e . o t e o r or er ti n sac ifi C stituti n l we d s, r r the but give the lower o de s a place in C onstitution . who e e ra co e e e to b e He gives th s gene l uns ls, must xp ct as to what practical means he recommends f or carrying I venture onthe following reply : L et the pre sent repre sentative system of counties and b oroughs b e in the main preserved ; b ut out of the representatives of the smal ler o or o corr o ro and of the a r co es are and n t i usly upt b ughs, sm lle unti , p e re r a o e away fifty members . Divid G at B it in int fifty el ctoral dis tricts ac or i to the o a o and l et eac of e e di r c , c d ng p pul ti n, h th s st i ts r one m e b er f or o no ro er ua c o ou d b e retu n m , wh m p p ty q lifi ati n sh l him b e e co t t r re . e s o r to e requi d Let paid wag s by his ns itu n , in de giv the c c of eco e r Gi e a o inthe working men han e b ming m mbe s . v v te
ec o of the di r c e er to e r e a e e - one r el ti n st i t m mb ve y mal g d tw nty yea s , ho has no ote f or ou t or oro who has r s de d f or e r w v any c n y b ugh, e i a y a the r c who not ee con c e of cr m a off e ce f or in dist i t, has b n vi t d any i in l n s e ear or re e e r s re ef f o r the a t ear and who the last ev n y s, c iv d pa i h li l s y , L er b e a al re ra is able to read and write . et th e an nnu gist tion of l rs ccordin to e e ual ca o and r u r of dis trict e ecto , a g th s q ifi ti ns, eq i e e er tr c e or th e of re r io the a m en of v y dis i t el ct , at e tim gist at n, p y t six ’ e ce to de fra the m e er a e and the e e of r ra o p n , y mb s w g s, exp ns egist ti n
L et the o b e b a o . and election . v ting y B ll t This would give a vote to every man in the community who is really
e rous and rea l fi to o e one . no ea s o o a d si , l y t p ss ss It by m n f ll ws th t the fifty district memb ers woul d be all men sprung from the lo wer s of the ro th or r or e r m ocrac . e de s, all vehem nt pa ti ans de y Judging f m ua or of h r a ar or of e wouid b e er us l w kings uman natu e , l ge p tion th m v y of much the reverse . But even if fifty strong champions the mass es e to fin e r to the ro or o coul re d o s c w thus th i way in H u e, su h a p p ti n d e er o r ise b or i onultra~dem ocratical or a arc c n v je pa d the state, y f c ng n hi al n f or of ea re . cer a o ec on o ce m su s And t inly many subj ts, th se instan
ra o of the oor- of F c or o of o Emig ti n, P Laws, the a t y !uesti n, Educati nal
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