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Testibus supradictis, et multis aliis. Data per manum nostram in prato quod vocatur Runningmede * inter Windelesor et Staines, quinto decimo die Junii, anno regni nostri septimo docimo.t

OF

Given under our hand, in the pre- MAGNA CARTA sence of the witnesses above named KING JOHN. and many others, in the Meadow called Runingmede, between Windelsore and Staines, the 17th day of June, in the 17th year of our Reign.

*

Runningmede: in some copies, Runimede.

+ This is copied by Rapin, and is conformable to the exemplar in p. 9 of the Statutes of the Realm.

In page 229 of the Penny Magazine for the year 1833, there is a copy of the original seal of King John to Magna Charta; and a specimen of a fac simile of the writing of Magna Charta, beginning at the passage Nullus liber homo capietur vel imprisonetur, &c.

In that account of Magna Charta, Runnymead is derived from

1. Runningmead; because it has been used as a race ground. But there is no proof of races having been held there in the time of King John.

2. Runemede; from Rune, a place of Council. It having been used, as the writer says, as a place of council or conference before this occasion.

3. My own opinion is (knowing the locality well, having been there repeatedly, and at Cooper's Hill, at the bottom of which, and between the Hill and the Thames, this meadow lies) it was called Running Mead, or meadow; from the small rivulets in it, in wet weather. It being a moist and marshy meadow, bordering the river Thames, about 21 miles from London. It would be dry enough as a place of meeting in the middle of June, when the Barons met there. Cooper's Hill, which overlooks this meadow, is the place celebrated in the verses of Sir John Denham; whose beautiful description of the Thames from thence is no less accurate than poetical:

"Tho' deep yet clear; though gentle yet not dull;
"Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full."

The present popular name of the place is Runnymead.

The London engraved edition of the fac simile of Magna Charta (of which the Editor has a copy) is surrounded by the Courts of Arms, emblazoned in colours, of the Barons who formed the Committee appointed by that Instrument.

VOL. I.-13.

CONTENTS OF THE STATUTE OF 25 EDW. 1st.,

RECITING AND CONFIRMING THE GREAT CHARTER OF 9th HENRY 3d, A. D. 1297.

Chapt. or Sect. 1. A confirmation of liberties of the Church and of Freemen.
Sect. 2. The relief of the King's tenant at full age.

Sect. 3. Wardship of an heir within age; the heir of a Knight.
Sect. 4. No waste shall be made by a guardian on ward's lands.
Sect. 5. Guardians shall maintain the inheritance of their wards.
Sect. 6. Heirs shall be married without disparagement.

Sect. 7. A widow shall have her marriage inheritance, and quarantine.

Not to be compelled to marry.

Sect. S. How sureties shall be charged to the King.

Sect. 9, The liberties of London, and other places, confirmed.
Sect. 10. None shall distrain for more service than is due.

Sect. 11. Common Pleas shall not follow the King's Court.

Sect. 12. Where and before whom assizes shall be held.

Adjournment in cases of difficulty.

Sect, 13. Assize of Darrcin presentment.

Sect. 14. How men of all sorts shall be amerced, and by whom.

Sect. 15. Concerning Bridges and Banks.

Sect. 16. Defending Banks.

Sect. 17. Holding pleas of the Crown.

Sect. 18. The King's debtor dying, the King shall be first paid.

Sect. 19. Purveyance for a Castle.

Sect. 20. Doing of Castle Ward.

Sect. 21. Taking of horses, carts and wood.

Sect. 22. How long the King shall hold the lands of felons.

Sect. 23. In what places Weirs shall be thrown down.

Sect. 24. In what cases præcipe in capite is not grantable.

Sect. 25. There shall be but one measure throughout the Realm; like

wise one weight.

Sect. 26. Concerning Inquisition of life and member.

Sect. 27. Where there is tenure of the King in socage and tenure of

another by Knight's service. Of Petit Serjeantry.

Sect. 28. No wager of law to be demanded without a witness.

Sect. 29. No man shall be condemned without trial by his Peers, or by

the law of the Land. Right and Justice shall neither be denied, sold, or delayed.

Sect. 30. Merchant strangers shall be well used.

Sect. 31. Tenure of a barony coming to the King by escheate.

Sect. 32. Lands shall not be aliened to the prejudice of the Lords ser

vice.

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Sect. 33. Patrons of Abbies shall have custody of them when vacant.
Sect. 34. A woman shall have appeal of death for her husband only.
Sect. 35. When the County Court, the Sheriff's Torn, and the Court
Leet shall be held.

Sect. 36. No land shall be given in Mortmain.

Sect. 37. A subsidy granted to the King in consideration of this Charter,
and the Charter of the Forrest.

Schedule of Confirmation by King Edward 1st, in the 25th year of his
Reign.

CONTENTS

OF

MAGNA CARTA

OF

25 EDWARD L

MAGNA CARTA REGIS EDWARDI I.

XII° DIE OCTOBRIS, ANNO REGNI XXV.

A. D. MCCXCVII,

Ex Magno rotulo Statutorum in Turre Londini, in 40. 39. 38.

EDWARDUS, Dei gratia, Rex Anglie, Dux Hibernie, et Dominus Aquitanie; omnibus ad quos presentes litere pervenerint, Salutem. Inspeximus Magnam Chartam Domini Henrici, quondam regis Anglie, patris nostri, de libertatibus Anglie in hec verba;

HENRICUS, dei gratia rex Anglie, dominus Hibernie, dux Normannie, Aquitanie, et comes Andegavie; archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus, vicecomitibus, prepositis, ministris, et omnibus ballivis, et fidelibus suis presentem chartam inspecturis, salutem. Sciatis quod nos, intuitu dei, et prosalute anime nostre, et animarum anteessorum et successorum nostrorum, ad exaltionem sacre ecclesie, et emendationem regni nostri, spontanea et bona voluntate nostra, dedimus et concessimus archiepiscopis, Episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus, et omnibus de regno, has libertates subscriptas tenendas in regno nostro Anglie imperpetuum.

EDWARD, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Guyan, to all to whom these present letters shall come, Greeting. We have seen the Great Charter of the Lord Henry, sometimes King of England, our father, of the Liberties of England, in these words:

HENRY, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Guyan, and Earl of Anjou: To the Archbishops, Bishops. Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, Sheriff's, Provosts, Officers, and to all Bailiffs, and other our faithful subjects which shall see this present Charter, greeting. Know ye, That we, unto the honour of Almighty God, and for the salvation of our soul, and the souls of our progenitors and successors, Kings of England, to the advancement of Holy Church, and the amendment of our Realm, of our meer free will, have given and granted to all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbotts, Priors, Earls, Barons, and to all freemen of this our Realm, these Liberties following, to be kept in our Kingdom of England forever.

I.

In primis concessimus Den, et hac presenti charta nostra confirma

I.

First, we have granted to God, and by this our present Charter, have

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