A History and Defence of Magna Charta: Containing a Copy of the Original Charter . With an English Translation; . With an Introductory Discourse, . to Which Is Added, an Essay on Parliaments

A History And Defence Of Magna Charta. This volume presents Magna Carta in full: it includes a copy of the original charter with an English translation, accompanied by an introductory discourse on the rise of national freedom and the growth of Parliament. The text traces constitutional development from ancient communities, through Saxon and Norman periods, to the English constitution as embodied in Magna Carta and its reaffirmations by successive kings. It surveys the legal innovations associated with the charter, such as trials by jury and the limits on taxation, and examines later reforms including the Petition of Right and the abolition of arbitrary prerogatives. An appended essay on Parliaments argues that frequent assemblies are essential to liberty, discussing the evolution from Witena gemot to modern parliamentary practice, and citing authorities like Matthew Paris, Bracton, and the Mirror of Justices. The work mixes historical narrative with constitutional analysis, illustrating how Magna Carta has shaped English law and governance and why it remains a cornerstone of liberty.