Magna Carta VSI

Charters were common; John was a really bad king; original MC included enforcement by 25 barons.

Magna Carta, Westminster, 11 February 1225 issued by Henry III and the definitive version. This charter was eventually added to the statue roll. Magna Carta was explicitly granted by the king in return for a payment of taxation by the whole kingdom: it became part of a bargain between the ruler and the ruled, without any taint of coercion. This copy, in the British Museum, was sent to Wiltshire in 1225, and was preserved at Lacock Abby until the 1940s. During World War II ws was carefully buried under a floor at Lacock, wrapped in a box and enclosed in a metal container.

Main Page

Magna Carta

• Magna carta = Latin for Great Charter
• Relevant kings
  • William the Conqueror 1066-1087
  • William II, 1087-1100
  • Henry I, 1100-35, son of W the C
  • Stephen 1135-54, fiasco
  • Henry II, 1154-89 [(had) killed , AB of Cantebury Thomas Becket]
  • Richard I (Lionheart), 1189-99 (son of H II)
  • John, 1199-1216 (sixth son of H II)
  • Henry III, 1216-72 (crowned aged 9)
  • Edward I, II, III
  • John (king during Robin Hood era)
• Charter of Forests
• Fascinating background history on Henry II (generally good, or competent tyrant)
• Wanted fair, reasonable, quick and efficient justice, absolute decision maker that all agreed to, but who acted fairly. Lots of search for precedent - good old laws of yore. Previous kings issued coronation charters, stating how they would reign and act. Succession was not iron-clad, so charters were somewhat a manifesto to garner support. Stephen was a dodgy succession. There was essentially a civil war in 1215 when MC I failed.
• Administration of law (settlement of disputes) was major money earner for the crown
• Henry I held a lot of France, Angevin empire
• Runnymede, as between Staines and Windsor was significant middle-ground. Previous charters also agreed at mid-points.
• MC1215 contained 25 baron’s to enforce, clause 61.
• John (had) killed Arthur of Brittany (nephew, contender to throne)
• Mini civil war after MC1215 failed.

Words

amercement

A discretionary penalty or fine; (originally) spec. one imposed on an offender at the discretion of the court of his or her lord, as opposed to a statutory fine. Formerly also: †the income from such penalties or fines (obsolete).

disseise (v)

(“de-seas-in” like season): To put out of actual seisin or possession; to dispossess (a person) of his or her estates, etc., usually wrongfully or by force; to oust.

disseisin (n)

Law. The act or fact of disseising; privation of seisin; usually, the wrongful dispossession (by forcible entry or otherwise) of the lands, etc. of another: since 15th cent. not used of movable goods, nor in cases in which the dispossessed person was tenant at will or tenant for years. (!)

justiciar

A high-ranking officer entrusted by an English or Scottish monarch with special judicial or administrative functions in a particular division of the realm.

seisin (n)

In early use, Possession: chiefly in phrases, to have take seisin (in, of). Now only in Law, Possession as of freehold. charter

charter, (n)

literal. A leaf of paper (in Old English called bóc, book n.); a legal document or ‘deed’ written (usually) upon a single sheet of paper, parchment, or other material, by which grants, cessions, contracts, and other transactions are confirmed and ratified.

A written document delivered by the sovereign or legislature:

Granting privileges to, or recognizing rights of, the people, or of certain classes or individuals.

Great Charter, that signed by King John guaranteeing the fundamental liberties of the English people: see Magna Carta n. Charter of the Forest (Charta Forestæ), a charter conceded by Henry III in 1217, and revised 1224, restraining the severity of the forest laws of previous reigns.

GPT / Gemini notes

Stephen (1135-1154)

Stephen’s reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin, Empress Matilda, over the succession, leading to a breakdown of authority and order. His reign saw widespread disorder and the usurpation of royal power by local barons. No direct killing of significant figures is attributed to him.

Henry II (1154-1189)

Henry II restored order and established legal reforms, laying the foundation for English Common Law. His reign is noted for the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170, which strained his relationship with the Church. Though Henry did not directly kill Becket, his words allegedly incited the knights who did. Faced rebellions from his own sons and wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (1173-1174): Henry’s sons (particularly the future Richard I and John), supported by their mother Eleanor of Aquitaine and rebellious barons, rose against him. Some historians consider this as much a war with France as a pure barons’ rebellion, as King Louis VII supported Henry’s rebellious sons.

Richard I (1189-1199)

Richard I, known as “Richard the Lionheart,” spent much of his reign abroad on the Third Crusade and in captivity. His reign saw little direct involvement in domestic English affairs, focusing more on crusading. He did not directly kill significant political figures related to the barons’ rebellion or the Magna Carta. His wars put a tremendous financial strain on England, requiring exorbitant taxes that angered the barons and the people.

John (1199-1216)

John’s reign was characterized by conflict with the barons, leading to the sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215. His misrule and financial extortion sparked the rebellion of the barons. He is implicated in the suspected murder of his nephew, Arthur of Brittany, which fueled further dissent among the nobility and contributed to the crisis leading to the Magna Carta. In May 1215, rebelling barons seized London, leveraging their position to force King John into negotiations, which resulted in the sealing of the Magna Carta in June 1215 at Runnymede. This seizure of London by the barons was a pivotal moment, demonstrating the extent of opposition to John’s rule and significantly weakening the king’s position. Lost significant French territories, weakening the power of the English crown. Heavy taxes, military failures, and abuses of power fueled baronial anger. John was infamous for his cruelty and arbitrary rule.

The Magna Carta, sealed in 1215, was a direct result of John’s conflict with his barons and represented an attempt to limit royal power and protect baronial rights, laying a foundational stone for modern constitutional governance.

Deets

• Nicholas Vincent
• Volume 321
• Published 2012

Magna Carta, Westminster, 11 February 1225 issued by Henry III and the definitive version. This charter was eventually added to the statue roll. Magna Carta was explicitly granted by the king in return for a payment of taxation by the whole kingdom: it became part of a bargain between the ruler and the ruled, without any taint of coercion. This copy, in the British Museum, was sent to Wiltshire in 1225, and was preserved at Lacock Abby until the 1940s. During World War II ws was carefully buried under a floor at Lacock, wrapped in a box and enclosed in a metal container.