Magna Carta at 800: We are still enjoying the freedoms won

CNN ^ | 06/15/2015 | John Stanton

[SES1066]

Except that there's something rather different about this rural corner of England. These riverside fields at Runnymede are reputed to be the setting for one of the most significant moments in UK democratic and constitutional history. The National Trust labels it "the birthplace of modern democracy," while an impressive monument commemorates a "symbol of freedom under law." It was here, of course, that the Magna Carta is said to have been sealed on June 15, 1215 under the title of the "Great Charter."

[SES1066]

Of course the New York Times has an entirely dismissive take on the significance of this anniversary and the "Great Charter" - surprise!

[SES1066]

From the NYT Opinion pages "But its fame rests on several myths. First, it wasn’t effective. In fact, it was a failure." Could it be that a liberal publication does not like DWEMs (Dead White European Males) and iconic historical documents (US Constitution?) unless liberals are permitted to freely interpret at will?

Of course if the Magna Carta was such a failure, why are we celebrating it 4/5s of a millennium later?

[Mikey_1962]

The Magna Carta has some interesting passages about debts to Jews.

Of course it does say that debts to Non-Jews should be handled the same way:

If anyone who has borrowed a sum of money from Jews dies before the debt has been repaid, his heir shall pay no interest on the debt for so long as he remains under age, irrespective of whom he holds his lands.

If such a debt falls into the hands of the Crown, it will take nothing except the principal sum specified in the bond.

If a man dies owing money to Jews, his wife may have her dower and pay nothing towards the debt from it.
If he leaves children that are under age, their needs may also be provided for on a scale appropriate to the size of his holding of lands.
The debt is to be paid out of the residue, reserving the service due to his feudal lords.

Debts owed to persons other than Jews are to be dealt with similarly.

If debts to Jews and Non-Jews were to be handled the same, why call out the Jews?

Antisemitism Is the obvious answer.

[Busko]

As we slowly watch our rights being taken by our so called elected officials.

[a fool in paradise]

NYet Times can't have this:

"[1] In the first place we grant to God and confirm by this our present charter for ourselves and our heirs in perpetuity that the English Church is to be free and to have all its rights fully and its liberties entirely."

[Enlightened1]

Indeed but the Establishment (aka Globalist) along with many in the media like CNN are doing everything they can to bring back in feudalism on a global scale.

[matginzac]

Yay! More Magna Carta!

[SampleMan]

The Magna Carta established that the King (read central government) had to abide by the laws and could not go outside the law.

So tell me again how we are progressing on that CNN?

[DocRock]

The 1100 Charter of Liberties was the basis for the Magna Carta. It said death taxes and being exempt from the law was considered “evil and oppressive”.

[Ohioan]

Neither Magna Carta, nor our Constitution, were intended to promote the irrational system which is called "modern democracy."

As Madison explained--explicitly explained--the Constitution was intended to protect Americans from democracy--or mob rule. Both Magna Carta--which was a clear example of Jefferson's point in the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, as to the political/social compact, which is the basis of a just Government;--and the Constitution, protected private property & natural rights from an over-reaching Government. Any form of overreaching Government! They were about the limitations on Governmental ability to meddle in the lives of those subject to a Government.

Democracy--or rule by numbers--does not address the essential rights that are held against Government--or despite Government, whether of the few or the many.

Neither the Norman Barons, nor the Founding Fathers, would have considered it one whit more tolerable, to lose their rights in their own property, to either King John, or a coalition of Leftist factions, put together by a Clinton, Bush or Obama. Not one whit more tolerable!

You will not find in all of human history any time when any one but demagogues and scoundrels benefited from the notion that you can determine morality simply by counting noses!

[Ohioan]

In the original version, there were enforcement provisions, which called for a committee of Barons--25, I believe--who were supposed to raise the nation, if the Crown (Government) violated the terms. Ultimately, like our own Constitution, it requires a will to preserve the rights recognized. Without that will to preserve, all human devices intended to protect liberty, are useless.

That said, such documents have a powerful beacon effect. In the case of Magna Carta, it is quite possible that what Jefferson penned 561 years later, would never have taken the form it did--had it happened at all;--had Magna Carta never been forced upon King John.

[ladyjane]

The king signed the Magna Carta under duress. He had the Pope annul it a month or two later. LOL

[Ohioan]

The king signed the Magna Carta under duress.

Just as did the King, who signed the Treaty Of Paris in 1783, accepting our Declaration of Independence. Of course a Government that comes to terms with an uprising is under duress.

The Crown did get away, in the 1297 republication of Magna Carta, with leaving out the enforcement provisions--as to the Barons raising the country against the Government. There are similar parallels in the way Constitutional Government has been corrupted among these States.

[CPT Clay]

From Runnymeade to Philadelphia.

[SunkenCiv]

This is an old topic. Just adding to the catalog.