APPENDIX II.

MAGNA CHARTA.

A SUMMARY OF THE CHARTER.

Magna Charta contains, in addition to the preamble,
sixty-three clauses inserted without much regard to orderly
arrangement. Its chief provisions may be conveniently
grouped and summarised as follows :—
Commencing with the declaration that the Church of
Clause I. Liberties England shall be free (‘quod Angliof
 the Church. cana ecclesia libera sit’) with all her
rights and liberties inviolate, and expressly confirming the
freedom of election which he had already granted by
separate charter, John grants to all the freemen of the
kingdom (‘words,’ remarks Sir Edward Coke, ‘which
extend also to villeins, for they are accounted free against
all men, saving against the lords ’), the underwritten
liberties :

L.—Feudal Obligations.

2, 3. The beir (if of age) shall pay only the ancient
. relief '—viz., in the case of an earl or
Ret. baron, rool; of a knight, ro0s.; of
one holding less than a knight's fee, less in proportion. A
minor, who is in ward, shall have his inheritance, on
coming of age, without relief or fine.
4, 5. Guardians shall take only reasonable fruits and
profits, without destruction or waste;
Wardships. g
and shall keep up the estate in proper
sondition during the wardship.