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.
