A History and Defence of Magna Charta. Containing a Copy of the Original Charter at Large, with an English Translation; the Manner of its being Obtained from King John, with its Preservation and Final Establishment in the Succeeding Reigns.

JOHNSON, SAMUEL [CONTROVERSIALIST].

Published by London Printed for J Bell and C Etherton York, 1769

About this Item

8vo, pp [2], lxii, 284, bound in contemporary unlettered sheep, worn at corners, chipped to leather at spine end and repaired at head, cracked to joints with inner joint reinforced, internally sound, FIRST EDITION; the first printing of an unpublished manuscript by Samuel Johnson [1649-1703] chaplain to Lord William Russell who instigated this defence of constitutional practice via study of Magna Carta along Whig principles. Its publication somewhat late in the day was no-doubt motivated by Whig agitation of the 1760's, and a second edition, or reprint appeared in 1772. It includes King John's charta in both its original Anglo-Norman and English translations. 'Johnson, unlike Blackstone and Coke, viewed Magna Carta as an antiquarian document providing liberties not to all of England, but simply a handful of barons. His "Defence" reads more like a condemnation than a celebration of the document.' - Tarlton Law Library, who ascribe the book, erroneously, to Samuel Johnson of dictionary fame [!].

Seller Inventory # 29964

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A History and Defence of Magna Charta. Containing a Copy of the Original Charter at Large, with an English Translation; the Manner of its being Obtained from King John, with its Preservation and Final Establishment in the Succeeding Reigns.
• Publisher: London Printed for J Bell and C Etherton York
• Publication Date: 1769
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • eb61 eb77