Magna Charta,
The
Great Charter, whose fundamental parts were derived from
Saxon charters, continued by Henry I. and his successors.
On Nov. 20, 1214, the
Archbishop of
Canterbury and the barons met at St. Edmondsbury.
On Jan. 6, 1215, they presented demands to King John, who deferred his answer.
On May 19 they were censured by the pope.
On May 24 they marched to
London, and the
King had to yield.
The charter was settled by John at
Runnymede, near
Windsor, June 15, 1215, and often confirmed by Henry III.
and his successors.
The last grand charter was granted in 1224 by Edward I. The original manuscript charter is lost.
The finest manuscript copy, which is at
Lincoln, was reproduced by photographs in the
National manuscripts, published by the
British government, 1865.
For the complete text see
Great charter.