The Magna Carta—the First Document to Guarantee That a King Was Not Above the Law

This copperplate facsimile was made in 1733 from one of the four surviving 1215 originals.

“No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, ... nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land….”

The Magna Carta, drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1215, forced King John to agree to protect rebel barons from illegal imprisonment and over-taxation, guaranteeing access to swift and impartial justice (including writs of habeas corpus) and the rights of the church. Violated by both the King and the rebel barons, it was annulled only three months later by Pope Innocent. It was reissued with changes in 1216, 1225, and 1297, when King Edward I confirmed it as part of England’s Statue law.

On the night of October 23, 1731, a fire engulfed the Ashburnham House, where one of the originals was temporarily housed. Though the Great Seal melted into a lump of wax, most of the text remained legible. Pine’s scarce 1733 facsimile was produced from that engrossed original.

TRANSLATED EXCERPTS:

TO ALL FREE MEN OF OUR KINGDOM we have also granted, for us and our heirs for ever, all the liberties written out below, to have and to keep for them and their heirs … (4) The guardian of the land of an heir who is under age shall take from it only reasonable revenues, customary dues, and feudal services. He shall do this without destruction or damage to men or property. … (7) At her husband’s death, a widow may have her marriage portion and inheritance at once and without trouble…. She may remain in her husband’s house for forty days after his death, and within this period her dower shall be assigned to her. (8) No widow shall be compelled to marry, so long as she wishes to remain without a husband. But she must give security that she will not marry without royal consent… (39) No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land. ... To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice

★ MAGNA CARTA. Copperplate Facsimile on vellum, first edition, “By Permission of [the] … Trustees of the Cottonian Library... a correct Copy of King John’s Great Charter…” Text flanked by 25 hand-colored coats of arms of English barons. [1733]. 1 p., 20¼ x 29⅜ in. #27115