Over the past week or so, we have been treated to more of the same leftie bile.
This time about some convicted murderer, who they didn't want Arnie Swarcheneger to kill!
Never mind that this scum was sentenced 20 years ago, or that California, the most liberal of liberal states, is overwhelmingly in favour of capital punishment.
Well, Arnie has terminated this scum, and good ridance!
The only problem I have with the Death Penalty is that it is used so infrequently, that so few scum are executed and that they are allowed to appeal ad naseum for decades!!
The execution of a scumbag, should be done promptly, within a year! Thats enough time to go through what ever appeals the guy wants to go through, dont you think?
Also, the Death Penalty should be extended, Judges should be able to impose the Death Penalty on rapists, paedophiles, drug dealers, traitors, those convicted of corruption. And the Death Penalty should be given out more generously!
The world we live in is not perfect, and it never will be. The Death Penalty, is a way of gaining justice for evils done, and a way to lay a crime to rest permanently!
Europe should be applauding the US instead of sneering 'We Europeans are sooo much more civilized then thou!!'
The truth is, that although the Socialist Elite of Europe finds the Death Penalty repulsive, the people dont. Most Europeans would support a reintroduction of the penalty.
And get real, the lefties, would love to execute those that disagree with them, its just that they have not had their 'revolution' yet.
Bunch of hypocrites!
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Australians Fight Back
We have seen something extra-ordinary over the past few days in Sydney!
Aussies are fighting back!
Two weeks ago some 'wogs'(thats foreigners to you and me, preferably dark foreigners!) lynched some White Aussie life guards on a Sydney beach, for no apparent reason. Attacks on Aussies by 'wogs' has become increasingly common, the 'wogs' are primarily Lebanese of the 'religion of Peace and Tolerance', thats Islam you you and me!
Last Sunday a crowd of 4000 White Aussies were on a Sydney beach having a barbie, having had a few too many tinnies, they decided to go lynch some 'wogs', a mini riot began and the 'wogs' were chased out of town!
Now dont get me wrong, I do understand that some of these White Aussies were yobs, drunken idiots, childish 'Neo-Nazis' etc... however some of the crowd were rightly pissed off at the wogs, and what they see to be this never ending stream of abuse from these savages, who were kindly given the right to enter and settle in Australia when Lebanon was being torn to pieces by the Lebanese.
It now seems that these savages want Aussies to conform to the 'religion of Peace and Tolerance', It is not uncommon to hear of White Aussie women being gang raped by wogs, if they dont gang rape them, they spit on them, nice eh? Wogs are also, inevitably the main source of criminals in Sydney, big suprise eh?
They are also poor, under educated, bitter, ghettoised, marginalised etc, etc...
What is wrong with minorities, eh, they should get up off there arses and work!!!
Anyway, being the main source of trouble within Sydney and other big Aussie cities, it was not long before people began to notice this. It has taken years, but now White Aussies are angry and have now taken this out on people of Arab appearance!
The wogs have retaliated by burning down churches and attacking Whites, Chinese and Tongans as well as Christian Lebanese who for their own historical reasons hate Muslims!
In France, when the Muslims rioted, the French did nothing, in England when the Muslims rioted and later detonated themselves on public transport, the English did nothing.
In Australia when some Muslim youths attacked some life guards, the Aussies fought back! Imagine what they would have done if some bombs had killed 56 people, or if the Muslims had rioted for a fort night?
This is one of the many reasons why I love Australia, they take shit from no-one. This episode proves that whilst Europe is dying, Australia is alive and well, it has vitality and some pride in itself, two things Europe lacks!
Aussies are fighting back!
Two weeks ago some 'wogs'(thats foreigners to you and me, preferably dark foreigners!) lynched some White Aussie life guards on a Sydney beach, for no apparent reason. Attacks on Aussies by 'wogs' has become increasingly common, the 'wogs' are primarily Lebanese of the 'religion of Peace and Tolerance', thats Islam you you and me!
Last Sunday a crowd of 4000 White Aussies were on a Sydney beach having a barbie, having had a few too many tinnies, they decided to go lynch some 'wogs', a mini riot began and the 'wogs' were chased out of town!
Now dont get me wrong, I do understand that some of these White Aussies were yobs, drunken idiots, childish 'Neo-Nazis' etc... however some of the crowd were rightly pissed off at the wogs, and what they see to be this never ending stream of abuse from these savages, who were kindly given the right to enter and settle in Australia when Lebanon was being torn to pieces by the Lebanese.
It now seems that these savages want Aussies to conform to the 'religion of Peace and Tolerance', It is not uncommon to hear of White Aussie women being gang raped by wogs, if they dont gang rape them, they spit on them, nice eh? Wogs are also, inevitably the main source of criminals in Sydney, big suprise eh?
They are also poor, under educated, bitter, ghettoised, marginalised etc, etc...
What is wrong with minorities, eh, they should get up off there arses and work!!!
Anyway, being the main source of trouble within Sydney and other big Aussie cities, it was not long before people began to notice this. It has taken years, but now White Aussies are angry and have now taken this out on people of Arab appearance!
The wogs have retaliated by burning down churches and attacking Whites, Chinese and Tongans as well as Christian Lebanese who for their own historical reasons hate Muslims!
In France, when the Muslims rioted, the French did nothing, in England when the Muslims rioted and later detonated themselves on public transport, the English did nothing.
In Australia when some Muslim youths attacked some life guards, the Aussies fought back! Imagine what they would have done if some bombs had killed 56 people, or if the Muslims had rioted for a fort night?
This is one of the many reasons why I love Australia, they take shit from no-one. This episode proves that whilst Europe is dying, Australia is alive and well, it has vitality and some pride in itself, two things Europe lacks!
Torture
Its a terrible thing torture!
Or is it?
For most my life I've been opposed to torture, not really to protect scum who get tortured, but to protect the torturers from becoming sick and twisted.
However now that we have to deal with phychotic Muslims, I think I am rethinking my stance!
As we all know the Americans with their allies have been sending terrorists on round the world trips to get tortured, they call it extra-ordinary rendition, what ever that means. It is quite a handy way of gaining information from these sickos without having to do the torture, we can let third world savages treat other third world savages, the way they always treat them! Briliant!
I am still firmly against torture of westerners, as my Bill of Rights 2005 makes plain, however third world savages do not deserve and should not be eligible to out rights!
I am also against westerners doing the torture, as this I beleive would de-civilise the torturer. The current American policy is a sound one, we get the Egyptians, Slovakians, Morrocans et al to do our torture, we just fly them in and sit and smoke a fag whilst this is being done! Job done we fly them back, and begin our questioning, and we let the possibility of more extra-ordinary rendition flights to Eastern Europe and the Middle East hang in the air as a motivation for the savage to cough up his info!!
Lefties as you no doubt surmise are hysterical about this, ah well let them get caught up in a suicide bombing and see if they change their attitude!!
Or is it?
For most my life I've been opposed to torture, not really to protect scum who get tortured, but to protect the torturers from becoming sick and twisted.
However now that we have to deal with phychotic Muslims, I think I am rethinking my stance!
As we all know the Americans with their allies have been sending terrorists on round the world trips to get tortured, they call it extra-ordinary rendition, what ever that means. It is quite a handy way of gaining information from these sickos without having to do the torture, we can let third world savages treat other third world savages, the way they always treat them! Briliant!
I am still firmly against torture of westerners, as my Bill of Rights 2005 makes plain, however third world savages do not deserve and should not be eligible to out rights!
I am also against westerners doing the torture, as this I beleive would de-civilise the torturer. The current American policy is a sound one, we get the Egyptians, Slovakians, Morrocans et al to do our torture, we just fly them in and sit and smoke a fag whilst this is being done! Job done we fly them back, and begin our questioning, and we let the possibility of more extra-ordinary rendition flights to Eastern Europe and the Middle East hang in the air as a motivation for the savage to cough up his info!!
Lefties as you no doubt surmise are hysterical about this, ah well let them get caught up in a suicide bombing and see if they change their attitude!!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Bill of Rights 2005
Western Governments excepting the United States desperatly need to rethink their attitude towards our rights, the US for all its faults has a long lived and thoughtful Constitution that protects them and their rights.
For too long western governments have trampled our rights for the 'greater good'.
They ban activities they deem dangerous, the
'something must be done' crowd are appeased at every juncture, banning guns, capital punishment, restricting smoking, regulating everything that moves, whilst at the same time legalising cannabis, gay marriage, unrestricted abortion etc, and at all times being suspicious of private property and personal income.
The bellow Bill of Rights is a template for western nations, it could be the way forward, but it needs political backing. It needs brave men to stand up and fight for our rights, they need to fight the reactionary left who rule most of the west at present, the ones who meekly appease Islam and at the same time ridicule Christians and those who beleive in freedom or wish to keep the majority of their income.
Article I
Parliament shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion; abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to assemble peaceably, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.
This first one guarentees the freedom of people to exercise their faith or lack of faith, they do not need to be frightened of the hypocritical bureaucrats who happily appease Muslims by permitting them to wear full Islamic gear, whilst sending the girl who wears a cross on chain round her neck, home.
It also guarentees the right to say what you wish, whether that is tastless, racist, stupid, offensive or subversive, race hate and religious hate laws would be unconstitutional
We would also be able to protest where and when we wish as long as it does not involve riot, to appeal to the government for a redress of grievance, whether or not that grievance is real or immagined
Article II
Cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted. The right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction for a crime for which this penalty is provided by law. Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, except in time of war or public danger.
The second article forbids torture. It also provided for the protection of all life, putting a question on abortion! It also approves capital punishment after a trial and a sentence of death has been passed.
Article III
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, properties, homes, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall be issued, except upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
This article circemscribes the powers of the police and government against the people
Article V
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.
Self explainatory
Article VI
No person shall be tried for the same offence twice; nor shall anyone be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived liberty, without due process of law.
This is quite important, given various governments shocking abuse of the courts for their own political ends. One trial per accusation, only one.
Article VII
The right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the Realm, than according to the rules of the common law.
Again self explainatory
Article VIII
The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, except as proscribed by law.
This is also important, too many governments have used a gun massacre, or have been urged by the 'something must be done' crowd after a massacre to ban guns. This is a ridiculous way to govern. The right to bear arms needs to be protected, with limits in law, such as mad men are not allowed to be issued a licence, or minors etc.
Article IX
Taxation of the people shall be done in a manner which is simple, clear and just. The right of the people to retain a majority of their income will not be infringed. Any raising of revenue shall first be put to the people in a referendum, except in time of war or public danger.
This is probably the most important right I have included, due to the addiction all governments have with other peoples money. Usually taking someones money against their wishes is deemed theft, this carries a prison sentence, yet governments not only steal your money, they imprison you if you refuse to hand over your money to them!!!!
Their insatiable appetite for our money needs to be constrained by a fixed law, if they have to call a referendum to raise tax, they will be a lot more careful with our money in the future!!!
Article X
The enumeration in this bill, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. However the enumeration of rights in this bill and of others retained by the people apply only to citizens of this Realm and not to aliens
This is also important, just because a right is not elaborated on in this bill does not mean that a government can ride roughshod over them. All governments and consciencious men must think seriously before passing a law, any law, they must ask, is this really needed, is it just a repetition of a previous act, will it take freedom from the people. A government must not make any law just to look like it is doing something, a law made for its own sake is probably a bad law!
Also only citizens of the republic or realm to which you belong are beneficiaries of these rights. Third world savages who pour off the boats fled their own countries not bothering to fight for freedom in their own countries, abandoning their people, they too often abuse our rights and claim them for themselves. That is wrong, these rights apply only to the race or races which have a history of fighting for them. We in the west have spent centuries, some would say mellenia fighting for them, we deserve them due to our blood sacrifice in the Cold War, WWII, WWI, the Boer war, the American Civil War, American War of Independence, the French revolutionary and Napoeonic wars, The wars for liberation by the Balkan peoples against Turkey, The wars twixt England it's colonies and France in the 18th centuries, the Glorious Revolution, the English Civil War, the Wars of Religion in northern Europe, the reconquista in Iberia as well as the Crusades.
Savages have never fought for the rights of their people, they are lazy and undeserving of these rights. Some such as Muslims abuse these rights to murder us and dismantle our freedoms.
Aliens and their decendents would be liable to expulsion from the realm or republic in which they reside for the continuing safety and freedom of the true citizens of these realms and republics.
For too long western governments have trampled our rights for the 'greater good'.
They ban activities they deem dangerous, the
'something must be done' crowd are appeased at every juncture, banning guns, capital punishment, restricting smoking, regulating everything that moves, whilst at the same time legalising cannabis, gay marriage, unrestricted abortion etc, and at all times being suspicious of private property and personal income.
The bellow Bill of Rights is a template for western nations, it could be the way forward, but it needs political backing. It needs brave men to stand up and fight for our rights, they need to fight the reactionary left who rule most of the west at present, the ones who meekly appease Islam and at the same time ridicule Christians and those who beleive in freedom or wish to keep the majority of their income.
Article I
Parliament shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion; abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to assemble peaceably, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.
This first one guarentees the freedom of people to exercise their faith or lack of faith, they do not need to be frightened of the hypocritical bureaucrats who happily appease Muslims by permitting them to wear full Islamic gear, whilst sending the girl who wears a cross on chain round her neck, home.
It also guarentees the right to say what you wish, whether that is tastless, racist, stupid, offensive or subversive, race hate and religious hate laws would be unconstitutional
We would also be able to protest where and when we wish as long as it does not involve riot, to appeal to the government for a redress of grievance, whether or not that grievance is real or immagined
Article II
Cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted. The right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction for a crime for which this penalty is provided by law. Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, except in time of war or public danger.
The second article forbids torture. It also provided for the protection of all life, putting a question on abortion! It also approves capital punishment after a trial and a sentence of death has been passed.
Article III
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, properties, homes, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall be issued, except upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
This article circemscribes the powers of the police and government against the people
Article V
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.
Self explainatory
Article VI
No person shall be tried for the same offence twice; nor shall anyone be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived liberty, without due process of law.
This is quite important, given various governments shocking abuse of the courts for their own political ends. One trial per accusation, only one.
Article VII
The right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the Realm, than according to the rules of the common law.
Again self explainatory
Article VIII
The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, except as proscribed by law.
This is also important, too many governments have used a gun massacre, or have been urged by the 'something must be done' crowd after a massacre to ban guns. This is a ridiculous way to govern. The right to bear arms needs to be protected, with limits in law, such as mad men are not allowed to be issued a licence, or minors etc.
Article IX
Taxation of the people shall be done in a manner which is simple, clear and just. The right of the people to retain a majority of their income will not be infringed. Any raising of revenue shall first be put to the people in a referendum, except in time of war or public danger.
This is probably the most important right I have included, due to the addiction all governments have with other peoples money. Usually taking someones money against their wishes is deemed theft, this carries a prison sentence, yet governments not only steal your money, they imprison you if you refuse to hand over your money to them!!!!
Their insatiable appetite for our money needs to be constrained by a fixed law, if they have to call a referendum to raise tax, they will be a lot more careful with our money in the future!!!
Article X
The enumeration in this bill, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. However the enumeration of rights in this bill and of others retained by the people apply only to citizens of this Realm and not to aliens
This is also important, just because a right is not elaborated on in this bill does not mean that a government can ride roughshod over them. All governments and consciencious men must think seriously before passing a law, any law, they must ask, is this really needed, is it just a repetition of a previous act, will it take freedom from the people. A government must not make any law just to look like it is doing something, a law made for its own sake is probably a bad law!
Also only citizens of the republic or realm to which you belong are beneficiaries of these rights. Third world savages who pour off the boats fled their own countries not bothering to fight for freedom in their own countries, abandoning their people, they too often abuse our rights and claim them for themselves. That is wrong, these rights apply only to the race or races which have a history of fighting for them. We in the west have spent centuries, some would say mellenia fighting for them, we deserve them due to our blood sacrifice in the Cold War, WWII, WWI, the Boer war, the American Civil War, American War of Independence, the French revolutionary and Napoeonic wars, The wars for liberation by the Balkan peoples against Turkey, The wars twixt England it's colonies and France in the 18th centuries, the Glorious Revolution, the English Civil War, the Wars of Religion in northern Europe, the reconquista in Iberia as well as the Crusades.
Savages have never fought for the rights of their people, they are lazy and undeserving of these rights. Some such as Muslims abuse these rights to murder us and dismantle our freedoms.
Aliens and their decendents would be liable to expulsion from the realm or republic in which they reside for the continuing safety and freedom of the true citizens of these realms and republics.
Bill of Rights 2005
Article I
Parliament shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion; abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to assemble peaceably, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.
Article II
Cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted. The right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction for a crime for which this penalty is provided by law. Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, except in time of war or public danger.
Article III
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, properties, homes, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall be issued, except upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article IV
No one shall be compelled to part with their property without due process of law. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation
Article V
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.
Article VI
No person shall be tried for the same offence twice; nor shall anyone be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived liberty, without due process of law.
Article VII
The right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the Realm, than according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIII
The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, except as proscribed by law.
Article IX
Taxation of the people shall be done in a manner which is simple, clear and just. The right of the people to retain a majority of their income will not be infringed. Any raising of revenue shall first be put to the people in a referendum, except in time of war or public danger.
Article X
The enumeration in this bill, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. However the enumeration of rights in this bill and of others retained by the people apply only to citizens of this Realm and not to aliens
_______________________________________________________
Therefore we firmly enjoin that the people in our Kingdom have and hold all the aforesaid liberties, rights and concessions, well and peaceably, freely and quietly, fully and wholly for themselves and their heirs, in all respects and in all places for ever
Parliament shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion; abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to assemble peaceably, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.
Article II
Cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted. The right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction for a crime for which this penalty is provided by law. Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, except in time of war or public danger.
Article III
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, properties, homes, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall be issued, except upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article IV
No one shall be compelled to part with their property without due process of law. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation
Article V
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.
Article VI
No person shall be tried for the same offence twice; nor shall anyone be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived liberty, without due process of law.
Article VII
The right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the Realm, than according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIII
The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, except as proscribed by law.
Article IX
Taxation of the people shall be done in a manner which is simple, clear and just. The right of the people to retain a majority of their income will not be infringed. Any raising of revenue shall first be put to the people in a referendum, except in time of war or public danger.
Article X
The enumeration in this bill, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. However the enumeration of rights in this bill and of others retained by the people apply only to citizens of this Realm and not to aliens
_______________________________________________________
Therefore we firmly enjoin that the people in our Kingdom have and hold all the aforesaid liberties, rights and concessions, well and peaceably, freely and quietly, fully and wholly for themselves and their heirs, in all respects and in all places for ever
American Bill of Rights 1790
The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or diparage others retained by the people
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or diparage others retained by the people
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people
Bill of Rights 1688
An act for declaring the rights and liberties of the subject and settling the succession of the crown.
Whereas the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, assembled at Westminster, lawfully, fully, and freely representing all the estates of the people of this realm, did upon the thirteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty eight present unto their Majesties then called and known by the names and stile of William and Mary, prince and princess of Orange, being present in their proper persons, a certain declaration in writing, made by the said lords and commons, in the words following:
viz.
Whereas the late King James The Second, by the assistance of divers evil counsellors, judges, and ministers employed by him, did endeavour to subvert and extirpate the protestant religion, and the laws and liberties of this kingdom.
1
By assuming and exercising a power of dispensing with and suspending of laws, and the execution of laws, without consent of parliament.
2
By committing and prosecuting divers worthy prelates, for humbly petitioning to be excused concurring to the said assumed power.
3
By issuing and causing to be executed a commission under the great seal for erecting a court called, The court of commissioners for ecclesiastical causes.
4
By levying money for and to the use of the crown, by pretence of prerogative, for other time, and in other manner, than the same was granted by parliament.
5
By raising and keeping a standing army within this kingdom in time of peace, without consent of parliament, and quartering soldiers contrary to law.
6
By causing several good subjects, being protestants, to be disarmed, at the same time when papists were both armed and employed, contrary to law.
7
By violating the freedom of election of members to serve in parliament.
8
By prosecutions in the court of King’s bench, for matters and causes cognizable only in parliament; and by divers other arbitrary and illegal courses.
9
And whereas of late years, partial, corrupt, and unqualified persons have been returned and served on juries in trials and particularly divers jurors in trials for high treason, which were not freeholders.
10
And excessive bail hath been required of persons committed in criminal cases, to elude the benefit of the laws made for the liberty of the subjects.
11
And excessive fines have been imposed; and illegal and cruel punishments inflicted.
12
And several grants and promises made of fines and forfeitures, before any conviction or judgment against the persons, upon whom the same were to be levied.All which are utterly and directly contrary to the known laws and statutes, and freedom of this realm.
And whereas the said late King James the Second having abdicated the government, and the throne being thereby vacant, his highness the Prince of Orange (whom it hath pleased Almighty God to make the glorious instrument of delivering this kingdom from popery and arbitrary power) did (by the advice of the lords spiritual and temporal, and divers principal persons of the commons) cause letters to be written to the lords spiritual and temporal, being protestants; and other letters to the several counties, cities, universities, boroughs, and cinque-ports, for the choosing of such persons to represent them, as were of right to be sent to parliament, to meet and sit at Westminster upon the two and twentieth day of January, in this year one thousand six hundred eighty eight, in order to such an establishment, as that their religion, laws, and liberties might not again be in danger of being subverted: upon which letters, elections have been accordingly made,
And thereupon the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, pursuant to their respective letters and elections, being now assembled in a full and free representative of this nation, taking into their most serious consideration the best means for attaining the ends aforesaid; do in the first place (as their ancestors in like case have usually done) for the vindicating and asserting their ancient rights and liberties, declare;
1
That the pretended power of suspending of laws, or the execution of laws, by regal authority, without consent of parliament, is illegal.
2
That the pretended power of dispensing with laws, or the execution of laws, by regal authority, as it hath been assumed and exercised of late, is illegal.
3
That the commission for erecting the late court of commissioners for ecclesiastical causes, and all other commissions and courts of like nature are illegal and pernicious.
4
That levying money for or to the use of the crown, by pretence of prerogative, without grant of parliament, for longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal.
5
That it is the right of the subjects to petition the King, and all commitments and prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal.
6
That the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of parliament, is against law.
7
That the subjects which are protestants, may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions, and as allowed by law.
8
That election of members of parliament ought to be free.
9
That the freedom of speech, and debates or proceedings in parliament, ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of parliament.
10
That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
11
That jurors ought to be duly impanelled and returned, and jurors which pass upon men in trials for high treason ought to be freeholders.
12
That all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction, are illegal and void.
13
And that for redress of all grievances, and for the amending, strengthening and preserving of the laws, parliaments ought to be held frequently.And they do claim, demand, and insist upon all and singular the premisses, as their undoubted rights and liberties; and that no declarations, judgments, doings or proceedings, to the prejudice of the people in any of the said premisses, ought in any wise to be drawn hereafter into consequence or example.
To which demand of their rights they are particularly encouraged by the declaration of his highness the prince of Orange, as being the only means for obtaining a full redress and remedy therein.
Having therefore an entire confidence, That his said highness the Prince of Orange will perfect the deliverance so far advanced by him, and will still preserve them from the violation of their rights, which they have here asserted, and from all other attempts upon their religion, rights, and liberties.
II
The said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, assembled at Westminster, do resolve, That William and Mary prince and princess of Orange be, and be declared, King and Queen of England, France and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, to hold the crown and royal dignity of the said kingdoms and dominions to them the said prince and princess during their lives, and the life of the survivor of them; and that the sole and full exercise of the regal power be only in, and executed by the said prince of Orange, in the names of the said prince and princess, during their joint lives; and after their deceases, the said crown and royal dignity of the said kingdoms and dominions to be to the heirs of the body of the said princess; and for default of such issue to the princess Anne of Denmark and the heirs of her body; and for default of such issue to the heirs of the body of the said prince of Orange. And the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, do pray the said prince and princess to accept the same accordingly.
III
And that the oaths hereafter mentioned be taken by all persons of whom the oaths of allegiance and supremacy might be required by law, instead of them; and that the said oaths of allegiance and supremacy may be abrogated.
I A.B. do sincerely promise and swear, That I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance, to their Majesties King William and Queen Mary:
So help me God.
I A.B. do swear, That I do from my heart abhor, detest, and abjure as impious and heretical, that damnable doctrine and position, That princes excommunicated or deprived by the pope, or any authority of the see of Rome, may be deposed or murdered by their subjects, or any other whatsoever. And I do declare, That no foreign prince, person, prelate, state, or potentate hath, or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence, or authority, ecclesiastical or spiritual, within this realm:
So help me God.
IV.
Upon which their said Majesties did accept the crown and royal dignity of the kingdoms of England, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, according to the resolution and desire of the said lords and commons contained in the said declaration.
V.
And thereupon their Majesties were pleased, That the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, being the two houses of parliament, should continue to sit, and with their Majesties royal concurrence make effectual provision for the settlement of the religion, laws and liberties of this kingdom, so that the same for the future might not be in danger again of being subverted; to which the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, did agree and proceed to act accordingly.
VI.
Now in pursuance of the premisses, the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in parliament assembled, for the ratifying, confirming and establishing the said declaration, and the articles, clauses, matters, and things therein contained, by the force of a law made in due form by authority of parliament, do pray that it may be declared and enacted, That all and singular the rights and liberties asserted and claimed in the said declaration, are the true, ancient, and indubitable rights and liberties of the people of this kingdom, and so shall be esteemed, allowed, adjudged, deemed, and taken to be, and that all and every the particulars aforesaid shall be firmly and strictly holden and observed, as they are expressed in the said declaration; and all officers and ministers whatsoever shall serve their Majesties and their successors according to the same in all times to come.
VII.
And the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, seriously considering how it hath pleased Almighty God, in his marvellous providence, and merciful goodness to this nation, to provide and preserve their said Majesties royal persons most happily to reign over us upon the throne of their ancestors, for which they render unto him from the bottom of their hearts their humblest thanks and praises, do truly, firmly, assuredly, and in the sincerity of their hearts think, and do hereby recognize, acknowledge and declare, That King James the Second having abdicated the government, and their Majesties having accepted the crown and royal dignity as aforesaid, their said Majesties did become, were, are, and of right ought to be, by the laws of this realm, our sovereign liege and lady, King and Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, in and to whose princely persons the royal state, crown, and dignity of the said realms, with all honours, stiles, titles, regalities, prerogatives, powers, jurisdictions and authorities to the same belonging and appertaining, are most fully, rightfully, and intirely invested and incorporated, united and annexed.
VIII
And for preventing all questions and divisions in this realm, by reason of any pretended titles to the crown, and for preserving a certainty in the succession thereof, in and upon which the unity, peace, tranquillity, and safety of this nation doth, under God, wholly consist and depend, The said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, do beseech their Majesties that it may be enacted, established and declared, That the crown and regal government of the said kingdoms and dominions, with all and singular the premisses thereunto belonging and appertaining, shall be and continue to their said Majesties, and the survivor of them, during their lives, and the life of the survivor of them; And that the intire, perfect, and full exercise of the regal power and government be only in, and executed by his Majesty, in the names of both their Majesties during their joint lives; and after their deceases the said crown and premisses shall be and remain to the heirs of the body of her Majesty; and for default of such issue, to her royal highness the princess Anne of Denmark, and the heirs of her body; and for default of such issue, to the heirs of the body of his said Majesty; And thereunto the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons do, in the name of all the people aforesaid, most humbly and faithfully submit themselves, their heirs and posterities for ever; and do faithfully promise, That they will stand to, maintain, and defend their said Majesties, and also the limitation and succession of the crown herein specified and contained, to the utmost of their powers, with their lives and estates against all persons whatsoever, that shall attempt any thing to the contrary.
IX.
And whereas it bath been found by experience, that it is inconsistent with the safety and welfare of this protestant kingdom, to be governed by a popish prince, or by any King or Queen marrying a papist; the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, do further pray that it may be enacted, That all and every person and persons that is, are or shall be reconciled to, or shall hold communion with, the see or church of Rome, or shall profess the popish religion, or shall marry a papist, shall be excluded, and be for ever incapable to inherit, possess, or enjoy the crown and government of this realm, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, or any part of the same, or to have, use, or exercise any regal power, authority, or jurisdiction within the same; and in all and every such case or cases the people of these realms shall be, and are hereby absolved of their allegiance; and the said crown and government shall from time to time descend to, and be enjoyed by such person or persons, being protestants, as should have inherited and enjoyed the same, in case the said person or persons so reconciled, holding communion, or professing, or marrying as aforesaid, were naturally dead.
X.
And that every King and Queen of this realm, who at any time hereafter shall come to and succeed in the imperial crown of this kingdom, shall on the first day of the meeting of the first parliament, next after his or her coming to the crown, sitting in his or her throne in the house of peers, in the presence of the lords and commons therein assembled, or at his or her coronation, before such person or persons who shall administer the coronation oath to him or her, at the time of his or her taking the said oath (which shall first happen) make, sub scribe, and audibly repeat the declaration mentioned in the statute made in the thirtieth year of the reign of King Charles the Second, intituled, An act for the more effectual preserving the King’s person and government, by disabling papists from sitting in either house of parliament. But if it shall happen, that such King or Queen, upon his or her succession to the crown of this realm, shall be under the age of twelve years, then every such King or Queen shall make, subscribe, and audibly repeat the said declaration at his or her coronation, or the first day of the meeting of the first parliament as aforesaid, which shall first happen after such King or Queen shall have attained the said age of twelve years.
XI.
All which their Majesties are contented and pleased shall be declared, enacted, and established by authority of this present parliament, and shall stand, remain, and be the law of this realm for ever; and the same are by their said Majesties, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, declared, enacted, and established accordingly.
XII
And be it further declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after this present session of parliament, no dispensation by non obstante of or to any statute, or any part thereof, shall be allowed, but that the same shall be held void and of no effect, except a dispensation be allowed of in such statute, and except in such cases as shall be specially provided for by one or more bill or bills to be passed during this present session of parliament.
XIII.
Provided that no charter, or grant, or pardon, granted before the three and twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty nine shall be any ways impeached or invalidated by this act, but that the same shall be and remain of the same force and effect in law, and no other than as if this act had never been made.
Whereas the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, assembled at Westminster, lawfully, fully, and freely representing all the estates of the people of this realm, did upon the thirteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty eight present unto their Majesties then called and known by the names and stile of William and Mary, prince and princess of Orange, being present in their proper persons, a certain declaration in writing, made by the said lords and commons, in the words following:
viz.
Whereas the late King James The Second, by the assistance of divers evil counsellors, judges, and ministers employed by him, did endeavour to subvert and extirpate the protestant religion, and the laws and liberties of this kingdom.
1
By assuming and exercising a power of dispensing with and suspending of laws, and the execution of laws, without consent of parliament.
2
By committing and prosecuting divers worthy prelates, for humbly petitioning to be excused concurring to the said assumed power.
3
By issuing and causing to be executed a commission under the great seal for erecting a court called, The court of commissioners for ecclesiastical causes.
4
By levying money for and to the use of the crown, by pretence of prerogative, for other time, and in other manner, than the same was granted by parliament.
5
By raising and keeping a standing army within this kingdom in time of peace, without consent of parliament, and quartering soldiers contrary to law.
6
By causing several good subjects, being protestants, to be disarmed, at the same time when papists were both armed and employed, contrary to law.
7
By violating the freedom of election of members to serve in parliament.
8
By prosecutions in the court of King’s bench, for matters and causes cognizable only in parliament; and by divers other arbitrary and illegal courses.
9
And whereas of late years, partial, corrupt, and unqualified persons have been returned and served on juries in trials and particularly divers jurors in trials for high treason, which were not freeholders.
10
And excessive bail hath been required of persons committed in criminal cases, to elude the benefit of the laws made for the liberty of the subjects.
11
And excessive fines have been imposed; and illegal and cruel punishments inflicted.
12
And several grants and promises made of fines and forfeitures, before any conviction or judgment against the persons, upon whom the same were to be levied.All which are utterly and directly contrary to the known laws and statutes, and freedom of this realm.
And whereas the said late King James the Second having abdicated the government, and the throne being thereby vacant, his highness the Prince of Orange (whom it hath pleased Almighty God to make the glorious instrument of delivering this kingdom from popery and arbitrary power) did (by the advice of the lords spiritual and temporal, and divers principal persons of the commons) cause letters to be written to the lords spiritual and temporal, being protestants; and other letters to the several counties, cities, universities, boroughs, and cinque-ports, for the choosing of such persons to represent them, as were of right to be sent to parliament, to meet and sit at Westminster upon the two and twentieth day of January, in this year one thousand six hundred eighty eight, in order to such an establishment, as that their religion, laws, and liberties might not again be in danger of being subverted: upon which letters, elections have been accordingly made,
And thereupon the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, pursuant to their respective letters and elections, being now assembled in a full and free representative of this nation, taking into their most serious consideration the best means for attaining the ends aforesaid; do in the first place (as their ancestors in like case have usually done) for the vindicating and asserting their ancient rights and liberties, declare;
1
That the pretended power of suspending of laws, or the execution of laws, by regal authority, without consent of parliament, is illegal.
2
That the pretended power of dispensing with laws, or the execution of laws, by regal authority, as it hath been assumed and exercised of late, is illegal.
3
That the commission for erecting the late court of commissioners for ecclesiastical causes, and all other commissions and courts of like nature are illegal and pernicious.
4
That levying money for or to the use of the crown, by pretence of prerogative, without grant of parliament, for longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal.
5
That it is the right of the subjects to petition the King, and all commitments and prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal.
6
That the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of parliament, is against law.
7
That the subjects which are protestants, may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions, and as allowed by law.
8
That election of members of parliament ought to be free.
9
That the freedom of speech, and debates or proceedings in parliament, ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of parliament.
10
That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
11
That jurors ought to be duly impanelled and returned, and jurors which pass upon men in trials for high treason ought to be freeholders.
12
That all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction, are illegal and void.
13
And that for redress of all grievances, and for the amending, strengthening and preserving of the laws, parliaments ought to be held frequently.And they do claim, demand, and insist upon all and singular the premisses, as their undoubted rights and liberties; and that no declarations, judgments, doings or proceedings, to the prejudice of the people in any of the said premisses, ought in any wise to be drawn hereafter into consequence or example.
To which demand of their rights they are particularly encouraged by the declaration of his highness the prince of Orange, as being the only means for obtaining a full redress and remedy therein.
Having therefore an entire confidence, That his said highness the Prince of Orange will perfect the deliverance so far advanced by him, and will still preserve them from the violation of their rights, which they have here asserted, and from all other attempts upon their religion, rights, and liberties.
II
The said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, assembled at Westminster, do resolve, That William and Mary prince and princess of Orange be, and be declared, King and Queen of England, France and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, to hold the crown and royal dignity of the said kingdoms and dominions to them the said prince and princess during their lives, and the life of the survivor of them; and that the sole and full exercise of the regal power be only in, and executed by the said prince of Orange, in the names of the said prince and princess, during their joint lives; and after their deceases, the said crown and royal dignity of the said kingdoms and dominions to be to the heirs of the body of the said princess; and for default of such issue to the princess Anne of Denmark and the heirs of her body; and for default of such issue to the heirs of the body of the said prince of Orange. And the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, do pray the said prince and princess to accept the same accordingly.
III
And that the oaths hereafter mentioned be taken by all persons of whom the oaths of allegiance and supremacy might be required by law, instead of them; and that the said oaths of allegiance and supremacy may be abrogated.
I A.B. do sincerely promise and swear, That I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance, to their Majesties King William and Queen Mary:
So help me God.
I A.B. do swear, That I do from my heart abhor, detest, and abjure as impious and heretical, that damnable doctrine and position, That princes excommunicated or deprived by the pope, or any authority of the see of Rome, may be deposed or murdered by their subjects, or any other whatsoever. And I do declare, That no foreign prince, person, prelate, state, or potentate hath, or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence, or authority, ecclesiastical or spiritual, within this realm:
So help me God.
IV.
Upon which their said Majesties did accept the crown and royal dignity of the kingdoms of England, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, according to the resolution and desire of the said lords and commons contained in the said declaration.
V.
And thereupon their Majesties were pleased, That the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, being the two houses of parliament, should continue to sit, and with their Majesties royal concurrence make effectual provision for the settlement of the religion, laws and liberties of this kingdom, so that the same for the future might not be in danger again of being subverted; to which the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, did agree and proceed to act accordingly.
VI.
Now in pursuance of the premisses, the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in parliament assembled, for the ratifying, confirming and establishing the said declaration, and the articles, clauses, matters, and things therein contained, by the force of a law made in due form by authority of parliament, do pray that it may be declared and enacted, That all and singular the rights and liberties asserted and claimed in the said declaration, are the true, ancient, and indubitable rights and liberties of the people of this kingdom, and so shall be esteemed, allowed, adjudged, deemed, and taken to be, and that all and every the particulars aforesaid shall be firmly and strictly holden and observed, as they are expressed in the said declaration; and all officers and ministers whatsoever shall serve their Majesties and their successors according to the same in all times to come.
VII.
And the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, seriously considering how it hath pleased Almighty God, in his marvellous providence, and merciful goodness to this nation, to provide and preserve their said Majesties royal persons most happily to reign over us upon the throne of their ancestors, for which they render unto him from the bottom of their hearts their humblest thanks and praises, do truly, firmly, assuredly, and in the sincerity of their hearts think, and do hereby recognize, acknowledge and declare, That King James the Second having abdicated the government, and their Majesties having accepted the crown and royal dignity as aforesaid, their said Majesties did become, were, are, and of right ought to be, by the laws of this realm, our sovereign liege and lady, King and Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, in and to whose princely persons the royal state, crown, and dignity of the said realms, with all honours, stiles, titles, regalities, prerogatives, powers, jurisdictions and authorities to the same belonging and appertaining, are most fully, rightfully, and intirely invested and incorporated, united and annexed.
VIII
And for preventing all questions and divisions in this realm, by reason of any pretended titles to the crown, and for preserving a certainty in the succession thereof, in and upon which the unity, peace, tranquillity, and safety of this nation doth, under God, wholly consist and depend, The said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, do beseech their Majesties that it may be enacted, established and declared, That the crown and regal government of the said kingdoms and dominions, with all and singular the premisses thereunto belonging and appertaining, shall be and continue to their said Majesties, and the survivor of them, during their lives, and the life of the survivor of them; And that the intire, perfect, and full exercise of the regal power and government be only in, and executed by his Majesty, in the names of both their Majesties during their joint lives; and after their deceases the said crown and premisses shall be and remain to the heirs of the body of her Majesty; and for default of such issue, to her royal highness the princess Anne of Denmark, and the heirs of her body; and for default of such issue, to the heirs of the body of his said Majesty; And thereunto the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons do, in the name of all the people aforesaid, most humbly and faithfully submit themselves, their heirs and posterities for ever; and do faithfully promise, That they will stand to, maintain, and defend their said Majesties, and also the limitation and succession of the crown herein specified and contained, to the utmost of their powers, with their lives and estates against all persons whatsoever, that shall attempt any thing to the contrary.
IX.
And whereas it bath been found by experience, that it is inconsistent with the safety and welfare of this protestant kingdom, to be governed by a popish prince, or by any King or Queen marrying a papist; the said lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, do further pray that it may be enacted, That all and every person and persons that is, are or shall be reconciled to, or shall hold communion with, the see or church of Rome, or shall profess the popish religion, or shall marry a papist, shall be excluded, and be for ever incapable to inherit, possess, or enjoy the crown and government of this realm, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, or any part of the same, or to have, use, or exercise any regal power, authority, or jurisdiction within the same; and in all and every such case or cases the people of these realms shall be, and are hereby absolved of their allegiance; and the said crown and government shall from time to time descend to, and be enjoyed by such person or persons, being protestants, as should have inherited and enjoyed the same, in case the said person or persons so reconciled, holding communion, or professing, or marrying as aforesaid, were naturally dead.
X.
And that every King and Queen of this realm, who at any time hereafter shall come to and succeed in the imperial crown of this kingdom, shall on the first day of the meeting of the first parliament, next after his or her coming to the crown, sitting in his or her throne in the house of peers, in the presence of the lords and commons therein assembled, or at his or her coronation, before such person or persons who shall administer the coronation oath to him or her, at the time of his or her taking the said oath (which shall first happen) make, sub scribe, and audibly repeat the declaration mentioned in the statute made in the thirtieth year of the reign of King Charles the Second, intituled, An act for the more effectual preserving the King’s person and government, by disabling papists from sitting in either house of parliament. But if it shall happen, that such King or Queen, upon his or her succession to the crown of this realm, shall be under the age of twelve years, then every such King or Queen shall make, subscribe, and audibly repeat the said declaration at his or her coronation, or the first day of the meeting of the first parliament as aforesaid, which shall first happen after such King or Queen shall have attained the said age of twelve years.
XI.
All which their Majesties are contented and pleased shall be declared, enacted, and established by authority of this present parliament, and shall stand, remain, and be the law of this realm for ever; and the same are by their said Majesties, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, declared, enacted, and established accordingly.
XII
And be it further declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after this present session of parliament, no dispensation by non obstante of or to any statute, or any part thereof, shall be allowed, but that the same shall be held void and of no effect, except a dispensation be allowed of in such statute, and except in such cases as shall be specially provided for by one or more bill or bills to be passed during this present session of parliament.
XIII.
Provided that no charter, or grant, or pardon, granted before the three and twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty nine shall be any ways impeached or invalidated by this act, but that the same shall be and remain of the same force and effect in law, and no other than as if this act had never been made.
Magna Carta 1215
John, by the grace of God, King of England, lLord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls,Barons, Justiciars, Foresters, Sheriffs, Stewards, Servants, and to all his Bailiffs and liege subjects, greeting.
Know that, having regard to God and for the salvation of our soul, and those of all our ancestors and heirs, and unto the honour of God and the advancement of Holy Church, and for the reform of our realm, by advice of our venerable fathers, Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Henry Archbishop of Dublin, William of London, Peter of Winchester, Jocelyn of Bath and Glastonbury, Hugh of Lincoln, Walter of Worcester, William of Coventry, Benedict of Rochester, Bishops; of Master Pandulf, Subdeacon and member of the household of our Lord the Pope, of brother Aymeric (Master of the Knights of the Temple in England) and of the illustrious men William Marshall Earl ofPembroke, William Earl of Salisbury, William Earl of Warenne, William Earl ofArundel, Alan of Galloway (Constable of Scotland) Waren Fitz Gerald, Peter FitzHerbert, Hubert de Burgh (Seneschal of Poitou) Hugh de Neville, Matthew FitzHerbert, Thomas Basset, Alan Basset, Philip d'Aubigny, Robert of Roppesley, John Marshall, John FitzHugh, and others, our liegemen.
1. In the first place we have granted to God, and by this our present charter confirmed for us and our heirs for ever that the English Church shall be free and shall have her rights entire, and her liberties inviolate; and we will that it be thus observed; which is apparent from this that the freedom of elections, which is reckoned most important and very essential to the English Church, we of our pure and unconstrained will, did grant and did by our charter confirm and did obtain the ratification of the same from our Lord, Pope Innocent III before the quarrel arose between us and our Barons: and this we will observe and our will is that it be observed in good faith by our heirs for ever. We have also granted to all freemen of our Kingdom for us and our heirs for ever all the underwritten liberties to be had and held by them and their heirs of us and our heirs for ever.
2. If any of our Earls or Barons or others holding of us in chief by military service shall have died and at the time of his death his heir shall be of fullage and owe "relief" he shall have his inheritance on payment of the ancient relief, namely the heir or heirs of an Earl, 100 pounds for a whole Earl's barony; the heir or heirs of a Baron, 100 pounds for a whole barony; the heir or heirs of a Knight, 100 shillings at most for a whole Knight's fee; and whoever owes less let him give less, according to the ancient custom of fiefs.
3. If, however, the heir of any of the aforesaid has been under age and in wardship, let him have his inheritance without relief and without fine when he comes of age.
4. The guardian of the land of an heir who is thus under age, shall take from the land of the heir nothing but reasonably produce, reasonable customs, and reasonable services and that without destruction or waste of men or goods; and if we have committed the wardship of the lands of any such minor to the sheriff or to any other who is responsible to us for its issues and he has made destruction or waste of what he holds in wardship, we will take of him amends and the land shall be committed to two lawful and discreet men of that fee, who shall be responsible for the issues to us or to him to whom we shall assign them; and if we have given or sold the wardship of any such land to anyone and he has therein made destruction or waste, he shall lose that wardship,and it shall be transferred to two lawful and discreet men of that fief, who shall be responsible to us in like manner as aforesaid.
5. The guardian, moreover, so long as he has the wardship of the land, shall keep up the houses, parks, fishponds, stanks, mills, and other things pertaining to the land, out of the issues of the same land; and he shall restore to the heir, when he has come to full age, all his land, stocked with ploughs and "waynage," according as the season of husbandry shall require, and the issues of the land can reasonably bear.
6. Heirs shall be married without disparagement, yet so that before the marriage takes place the nearest in blood to that heir shall have notice.
7. A widow, after the death of her husband, shall forthwith and without difficulty have her marriage portion and inheritance; nor shall she give anything for her dower, or for her marriage portion, or for the inheritance which her husband and she held on the day of the death of that husband; and she may remain in the house of her husband for fourty days after his death, within which time her dower shall be assigned to her.
8. No widow shall be compelled to marry, so long as she prefers to live without a husband; provided always that she gives security not to marry without our consent, if she holds of us, or without the consent of the lord of whom she holds, if she holds of another.
9. Neither we nor our Bailiffs shall seize any land or rent for any debt, so long as the chattels of the debtor are sufficient to repay the debt; nor shall the sureties of the debtor be distrained so long as the principal debtor is able to satisfy the debt; and if the principal debtor shall fail to pay the debt, having nothing where with to pay it, then the sureties shall answer for the debt and let them have the lands and rents of the debtor, if they desire them, until they are indemnified for the debt which they have paid for him, unless the principal debtor can show proof that he is discharged thereof as against the said sureties.
10. If one who has borrowed from the Jews any sum, great or small, die before that loan can be repaid, the debt shall not bear interest while the heir is under age, of whomsoever he may hold; and if the debt fall into our hands, we will not take anything except the principal sum contained in the bond.
11. And if any one die indebted to the Jews, his wife shall have her dower and pay nothing of that debt; and if any children of the deceased are left underage, necessaries shall be provided for them in keeping with the holding of the deceased; and out of the residue the debt shall be paid, reserving, however, service due to feudal Lords; in like manner let it be done touching debts due to others than Jews.
12. No scutage nor aid shall be imposed on our Kingdom, unless by common counsel of our Kingdom, except for ransoming our person, for making our eldest son a Knight, and for once marrying our eldest daughter; and for these there shall not be levied more than a reasonable aid. In like manner it shall be done concerning aids from the city of London.
13. And the city of London shall have all its ancient liberties and free customs, as well by land as by water; furthermore, we decree and grant that all other cities, boroughs, towns, and ports shall have all their liberties and free customs.
14. And for obtaining the common counsel of the kingdom the assessing of an aid (except in the three cases aforesaid) or of a scutage, we will cause to be summoned the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, and greater Barons, severally by our letters; and we will moreover cause to be summoned generally, through our Sheriffs and Bailiffs, all others who hold of us in chief, for a fixed date, namely, after the expiry of at least forty days, and at a fixed place; and in all letters of such summons we will specify the reason of the summons. And when the summons has thus been made, the business shall proceed on the day appointed, according to the counsel of such as are present, although not all who were summoned have come.
15. We will not for the future grant to any one license to take an aid from his own free tenants, except to ransom his body, to make his eldest son a knight, and once to marry his eldest daughter; and on each of these occasions there shall be levied only a reasonable aid.
16. No one shall be distrained for performance of greater service for a Knight's fee, or for any other free tenement, than is due there from.
17. Common pleas shall not follow our court, but shall be held in some fixed place.
18. Inquests of novel disseisin, of mort d'ancester and of darrein presentment, shall not be held elsewhere than in their own county courts and that in manner following...We, or if we should be out of the Realm, our chief Justiciar, will send two Justiciars through every county four times a year, who shall, along with four Knights of the county chosen by the county, hold the said assize in the county court, on the day and in the place of meeting of that court.
19. And if any of the said assizes cannot be taken on the day of the county court, let there remain of the Knights and freeholders, who were present at the county court on that day, as many as may be required for the efficient making of judgments, according as the business be more or less.
20. A freeman shall not be amerced for a slight offense, except in accordance with the degree of the offense; and for a grave offense he shall be amerced in accordance with the gravity of the offense, yet saving always his"contenement;" and a merchant in the same way, saving his "merchandise;" and avillein shall be amerced in the same way, saving his "wainage"--if they have fallen into our mercy: and none of the aforesaid amercements shall be imposed except by the oath of honest men of the neighborhood.
21. Earls and Barons shall not be amerced except through their peers, and only in accordance with the degree of the offense.
22. A clerk shall not be amerced in respect of his lay holding except after the manner of the others aforesaid; further, he shall not be amerced in accordance with the extent of his ecclesiastical benefice.
23. No village or individual shall be compelled to make bridges at river-banks, except those who from of old were legally bound to do so.
24. No Sheriff, Constable, Coroners, or others of our Bailiffs, shall hold pleas of our Crown.
25. All counties, hundreds, wapentakes, and trithings (except our demesnemanors) shall remain at old rents, and without any additional payment.
26. If any one holding of us a lay fief shall die, and our sheriff or Bailiff shall exhibit our letters patent of summons for a debt which the deceased owed to us, it shall be lawful for our sheriff or bailiff to attach and catalogue chattels of the deceased, found upon the lay fief, to the value of that debt,at the sight of law-worthy men, provided always that nothing whatever be thence removed until the debt which is evident shall be fully paid to us; and the residue shall be left to the executors to fulfil the will of the deceased; and if there be nothing due from him to us, all the chattels shall go to the deceased, saving to his wife and children their reasonable shares.
27. If any freeman shall die intestate, his chattels shall be distributed by the hands of his nearest kinsfolk and friends, under supervision of the church, saving to every one the debts which the deceased owed to him.
28. No Constable or other Bailiff of ours shall take corn or other provisions from any one without immediately tendering money there for, unless he can have postponement thereof by permission of the seller.
29. No Constable shall compel any Knight to give money in lieu of castle-guard, when he is willing to perform it in his own person, or (if he cannot do it from any reasonable cause) then by another responsible man. Further, if we have led or sent him upon military service, he shall be relieved from guard in proportion to the time during which he has been on service because of us.
30. No Sheriff or Bailiff of ours, or other person, shall take the horses or carts of any freeman for transport duty, against the will of the said freeman.
31. Neither we nor our bailiffs shall take, for our castles or for any other work of ours, wood which is not ours, against the will of the owner of that wood.
32. We will not retain beyond one year and one day, the lands of those who have been convicted of felony, and the lands shall there after be handed over to the Lords of the fiefs.
33. All kiddles for the future shall be removed altogether from Thames and Medway, and throughout all England, except upon the seashore.
34. The writ which is called praecipe shall not for the future be issued to any one, regarding any tenement whereby a freeman may lose his court.
35. Let there be one measure of wine throughout our whole Realm; and one measure of ale; and one measure of corn, to wit, "the London quarter;" and one width of cloth (whether dyed, or russet, or "halberget"), to wit, two ells within the selvages; of weights also let it be as of measures.
36. Nothing in future shall be given or taken for a writ of inquisition of life or limbs, but freely it shall be granted, and never denied.
37. If any one holds of us by fee-farm, by socage, or by burgage, and holds also land of another Lord by Knight's service, we will not (by reason of that fee-farm, socage, or burgage) have the wardship of the heir, or of such land of his as is of the fief of that other; nor shall we have wardship of that fee-farm, socage, or burgage, unless such fee-farm owes Knight's service. We will not by reason of any small serjeanty which any one may hold of us by the service of rendering to us knives, arrows, or the like, have wardship of his heir of of the land which he holds of another lord by Knight's service.
38. No Bailiff for the future shall, upon his own unsupported complaint, putany one to his "law," without credible witnesses brought for this purpose.
39. No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned or disseised or exiled or in anyway destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.
40. To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right orj ustice.
41. All merchants shall have safe and secure exit from England, and entry to England, with the right to tarry there and to move about as well by land as by water, for buying and selling by the ancient and right customs, quit from all evil tolls, except (in time of war) such merchants as are of the land at war with us. And if such are found in our land at the beginning of the war, they shall be detained, without injury to their bodies or goods, until information be received by us, or by our chief Justiciar, how the merchants of our land found in the land at war with us are treated; and if our men are safe there the others shall be safe in our land.
42. It shall be lawful in future for any one (excepting always those imprisoned or outlawed in accordance with the law of the Kingdom, and natives of any country at war with us, and merchants, who shall be treated as is above provided) to leave our Kingdom and to return, safe and secure by land and water, except for a short period in time of war, on grounds of public policy--reserving always the allegiance due to us.
43. If any one holding of some escheat (such as the honor of Wallingford, Nottingham, Boulogne, Lancaster, or of other escheats which are in our hands and are baronies) shall die, his heir shall give no other relief, and perform no other service to us than he would have done to the Baron, if that barony had been in the Baron's hand; and we shall hold it in the same manner in which the Baron held it.
44. Men who dwell without the forest need not hence forth come before our Justiciars of the forest upon a general summons, except those who are impleaded, or who have become sureties for any person or persons attached for forest offenses.
45. We will appoint as justices, Constables, Sheriffs, or Bailiffs only such as know the law of the Realm and mean to observe it well.
46. All Barons who have founded abbeys, concerning which they hold charters from the Kings of England, or of which they have long-continued possession, shall have the wardship of them, when vacant, as they ought to have.
47. All forests that have been made such in our time shall forthwith be disafforested; and a similar course shall be followed with regard toriver-banks that have been placed "in defense" by us in our time.
48. All evil customs connected with forests and warrens, Foresters and Warreners, Sheriffs and their officers, river-banks and their wardens, shall immediately be inquired into in each county by twelve sworn Knights of the same county chosen by the honest men of the same county, and shall, within forty days of the said inquest, be utterly abolished, so as never to be restored, provided always that we previously have intimation there of, or our Justiciar,if we should not be in England.
49. We will immediately restore all hostages and charters delivered to us by Englishmen, as sureties of the peace or of faithful service.
50. We will entirely remove from their bailiwicks, the relations of Gerard Athee (so that in future they shall have no bailiwick in England); namely, Engelard of Cigogne, Peter, Guy and Andrew of Chanceaux, Guy of Cigogne, Geofrrey of Martigny with his brothers Philip Mark with his brothers and his nephew Geoffrey and the whole brood of the same.
51. As soon as peace is restored, we will banish from the Kingdom all foreign-born Knights, cross-bowmen, Serjeants, and mercenary soldiers, who have come with horses and arms to the Kingdom's hurt.
52. If any one has been dispossessed or removed by us, without the legal judgment of his peers, from his lands, castles, franchises, or from his right, we will immediately restore them to him; and if a dispute arise over this, then let it be decided by the five-and-twenty Barons of whom mention is made below in the clause for securing the peace. Moreover, for all those possessions, from which any one has, without the lawful judgment of his peers, been disseised or removed, by our father, King Henry, or by our brother, King Richard, and which we retain in our hand (or which are possessed by others, to whom we are bound to warrant them) we shall have respite until the usual term of crusaders; excepting those things about which a plea has been raised, or an inquest made by our order, before our taking of the cross; but as soon as we return from our expedition (or if perchance we desist from the expedition) we will immediately grant full justice therein.
53. We shall have, moreover, the same respite and in the same manner in rendering justice concerning the disafforestation or retention of those forests which Henry our father and Richard our brother afforested, and concerning wardship of lands which are of the fief of another (namely, such wardships as we have hitherto had by reason of a fief which any one held of us by Knight's service), and concerning abbeys founded on other fiefs than our own, in which the Lord of the fief claims to have right; and when we have returned, or if we desist from our expedition, we will immediately grant full justice to all who complain of such things.
54. No one shall be arrested or imprisoned upon the appeal of a woman, for the death of any other than her husband.
55. All fines made with us unjustly and against the law of the land, and all amercements imposed unjustly and against the law of the land, shall be entirely remitted, or else it shall be done concerning them according to the decision of the five-and-twenty Barons of whom mention is made below in the clause for securing the peace, or according to the judgment of the majority of the same, along with the aforesaid Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury, if he can be present and such others as he may wish to bring with him for this purpose, and if he cannot be present the business shall nevertheless proceed without him, provided always that if any one or more of the aforesaid five-and-twenty Barons are in a similar suit, they shall be removed as far as concerns this particular judgment, others being substituted in their places after having been selected by the rest of the same five-and-twenty for this purpose only, and after having been sworn.
56. If we have disseised or removed Welshmen from lands or liberties, or other things, without the legal judgment of their peers in England or in Wales, they shall be immediately restored to them; and if a dispute arise over this, then let it be decided in the marches by the judgment of their peers; for tenements in England according to the law of England, for tenements in Wales according tothe law of Wales, and for tenements in the marches according to the law of the marches. Welshmen shall do the same to us and ours.
57. Further, for all those possessions from which any Welshman has, without the lawful judgment of his peers, been disseised or removed by King Henry our father or King Richard our brother, and which we retain in our hand (or which are possessed by others, to whom we are bound to warrant them) we shall have respite until the usual term of crusaders; excepting those things about which a plea has been raised or an inquest made by our order before we took the cross; but as soon as we return (or if perchance we desist from our expedition), we will immediately grant full justice in accordance with the laws of the Welsh and in relation to the foresaid regions.
58. We will immediately give up the son of Llywelyn and all the hostages ofWales, and the charters delivered to us as security for the peace.
59. We will do toward Alexander, King of Scots, concerning the return of his sisters and his hostages, and concerning his franchises, and his right, in the same manner as we shall do toward our other Barons of England, unless it ought to be otherwise according to the charters which we hold from William his father, formerly King of Scots; and this shall be according to the judgment of his peers in our court.
60. Moreover, all these aforesaid customs and liberties, the observance of which we have granted in our kingdom as far as pertains to us toward our men, shall be observed by all of our Kingdom, as well clergy as laymen, as far as pertains to them toward their men.
61. Since, moreover, for God and the amendment of our Kingdom and for the better allaying of the quarrel that has arisen between us and our Barons, we have granted all these concessions, desirous that they should enjoy them in complete and firm endurance for ever, we give and grant to them the underwritten security, namely, that the Barons choose five-and-twenty Barons of the Kingdom, whomsoever they will, who shall be bound with all their might, to observe and hold, and cause to be observed, the peace and liberties we have granted and confirmed to them by this our present Charter, so that if we, or our Justiciar, or our Bailiffs or any one of our officers, shall in anything be at fault toward any one, or shall have broken any one of the articles of the peace or of this security, and the offense be notified to four Barons of the aforesaid five-and-twenty, the said four Barons shall repair to us (or our Justiciar, if we are out of the Realm) and laying the transgression before us, petition to have that transgression redressed without delay.
And if we shall not have corrected the transgression (or, in the event of our being out of the Realm, if our Justiciar shall not have corrected it) within forty days, reckoning from the time it has been intimated to us (or to our Justiciar, if we should be out of the Realm), the four Barons aforesaid shall refer that matter to the rest of the five-and-twenty Barons, and those five-and-twenty Barons shall, together with the community of the whole land, distrain and distress us in all possible ways, namely, by seizing our castles, lands, possessions, and in any other way they can, until redress has been obtained as they deem fit, saving harmless our own person, and the persons of our queen and children; and when redress has been obtained, they shall resume their old relations toward us. And let whoever in the country desires it, swear to obey the orders of the said five-and-twenty Barons for the execution of all the aforesaid matters, and along with them, to molest us to the utmost of his power; and we publicly and freely grant leave to every one who wishes to swear, and we shall never forbid any one to swear.
All those, moreover, in the land who of them selves and of their own accord are unwilling to swear to the twenty-five to help them in constraining and molesting us, we shall by our command compel the same to swear to the effect aforesaid. And if any one of the five-and-twenty Barons shall have died or departed from the land, or be incapacitated in any other manner which would prevent the foresaid provisions being carried out, those of the said twenty-five Barons who are left shall choose another in his place according to their own judgment, and he shall be sworn in the same way as the others. Further, in all matters, the execution of which is intrusted to the setwenty-five Barons, if perchance these twenty-five are present, that which the majority of those present ordain or command shall be held as fixed and established, exactly as if the whole twenty-five had concurred in this; and the said twenty-five shall swear that they will faithfully observe all that is aforesaid, and cause it to be observed with all their might.
And we shallprocure nothing from any one, directly or indirectly, whereby any part of these concessions and liberties might be revoked or diminished; and if any such thing has been procured, let it be void and null, and we shall never use it personally or by another.
62. And all the ill-will, hatreds, and bitterness that have arisen between usand our men, clergy and lay, from the date of the quarrel, we have completely remitted and pardoned every one. Moreover, all trespasses occasioned by the said quarrel, from Easter in the sixteenth year of our reign till the restoration of peace, we have fully remitted to all, both clergy and laymen,and completely forgiven, as far as pertains to us. And, on this head, we havecaused to be made for them letters testimonial patent of the Lord Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury, of the Lord Henry, Archbishop of Dublin, of the Bishops aforesaid and of Master Pandulf as touching this security and the concessions aforesaid.
63. Wherefore it is our will, and we firmly enjoin, that the English Church be free, and that the men in our Kingdom have and hold all the aforesaid liberties, rights, and concessions, well and peaceably, freely and quietly,fully and wholly, for themselves and their heirs, of us and our heirs, in all respects and in all places for ever, as is aforesaid. An oath, moreover, has been taken, as well on our part as on the part of the Barons, that all these conditions aforesaid shall be kept in good faith and without evil intent. Given under our hand--the above-named and many others being witnesses--in the meadow which is called Runnymede, between Windsor and Staines, on the fifteenth day of June, in the seventeenth year of our reign.
Know that, having regard to God and for the salvation of our soul, and those of all our ancestors and heirs, and unto the honour of God and the advancement of Holy Church, and for the reform of our realm, by advice of our venerable fathers, Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Henry Archbishop of Dublin, William of London, Peter of Winchester, Jocelyn of Bath and Glastonbury, Hugh of Lincoln, Walter of Worcester, William of Coventry, Benedict of Rochester, Bishops; of Master Pandulf, Subdeacon and member of the household of our Lord the Pope, of brother Aymeric (Master of the Knights of the Temple in England) and of the illustrious men William Marshall Earl ofPembroke, William Earl of Salisbury, William Earl of Warenne, William Earl ofArundel, Alan of Galloway (Constable of Scotland) Waren Fitz Gerald, Peter FitzHerbert, Hubert de Burgh (Seneschal of Poitou) Hugh de Neville, Matthew FitzHerbert, Thomas Basset, Alan Basset, Philip d'Aubigny, Robert of Roppesley, John Marshall, John FitzHugh, and others, our liegemen.
1. In the first place we have granted to God, and by this our present charter confirmed for us and our heirs for ever that the English Church shall be free and shall have her rights entire, and her liberties inviolate; and we will that it be thus observed; which is apparent from this that the freedom of elections, which is reckoned most important and very essential to the English Church, we of our pure and unconstrained will, did grant and did by our charter confirm and did obtain the ratification of the same from our Lord, Pope Innocent III before the quarrel arose between us and our Barons: and this we will observe and our will is that it be observed in good faith by our heirs for ever. We have also granted to all freemen of our Kingdom for us and our heirs for ever all the underwritten liberties to be had and held by them and their heirs of us and our heirs for ever.
2. If any of our Earls or Barons or others holding of us in chief by military service shall have died and at the time of his death his heir shall be of fullage and owe "relief" he shall have his inheritance on payment of the ancient relief, namely the heir or heirs of an Earl, 100 pounds for a whole Earl's barony; the heir or heirs of a Baron, 100 pounds for a whole barony; the heir or heirs of a Knight, 100 shillings at most for a whole Knight's fee; and whoever owes less let him give less, according to the ancient custom of fiefs.
3. If, however, the heir of any of the aforesaid has been under age and in wardship, let him have his inheritance without relief and without fine when he comes of age.
4. The guardian of the land of an heir who is thus under age, shall take from the land of the heir nothing but reasonably produce, reasonable customs, and reasonable services and that without destruction or waste of men or goods; and if we have committed the wardship of the lands of any such minor to the sheriff or to any other who is responsible to us for its issues and he has made destruction or waste of what he holds in wardship, we will take of him amends and the land shall be committed to two lawful and discreet men of that fee, who shall be responsible for the issues to us or to him to whom we shall assign them; and if we have given or sold the wardship of any such land to anyone and he has therein made destruction or waste, he shall lose that wardship,and it shall be transferred to two lawful and discreet men of that fief, who shall be responsible to us in like manner as aforesaid.
5. The guardian, moreover, so long as he has the wardship of the land, shall keep up the houses, parks, fishponds, stanks, mills, and other things pertaining to the land, out of the issues of the same land; and he shall restore to the heir, when he has come to full age, all his land, stocked with ploughs and "waynage," according as the season of husbandry shall require, and the issues of the land can reasonably bear.
6. Heirs shall be married without disparagement, yet so that before the marriage takes place the nearest in blood to that heir shall have notice.
7. A widow, after the death of her husband, shall forthwith and without difficulty have her marriage portion and inheritance; nor shall she give anything for her dower, or for her marriage portion, or for the inheritance which her husband and she held on the day of the death of that husband; and she may remain in the house of her husband for fourty days after his death, within which time her dower shall be assigned to her.
8. No widow shall be compelled to marry, so long as she prefers to live without a husband; provided always that she gives security not to marry without our consent, if she holds of us, or without the consent of the lord of whom she holds, if she holds of another.
9. Neither we nor our Bailiffs shall seize any land or rent for any debt, so long as the chattels of the debtor are sufficient to repay the debt; nor shall the sureties of the debtor be distrained so long as the principal debtor is able to satisfy the debt; and if the principal debtor shall fail to pay the debt, having nothing where with to pay it, then the sureties shall answer for the debt and let them have the lands and rents of the debtor, if they desire them, until they are indemnified for the debt which they have paid for him, unless the principal debtor can show proof that he is discharged thereof as against the said sureties.
10. If one who has borrowed from the Jews any sum, great or small, die before that loan can be repaid, the debt shall not bear interest while the heir is under age, of whomsoever he may hold; and if the debt fall into our hands, we will not take anything except the principal sum contained in the bond.
11. And if any one die indebted to the Jews, his wife shall have her dower and pay nothing of that debt; and if any children of the deceased are left underage, necessaries shall be provided for them in keeping with the holding of the deceased; and out of the residue the debt shall be paid, reserving, however, service due to feudal Lords; in like manner let it be done touching debts due to others than Jews.
12. No scutage nor aid shall be imposed on our Kingdom, unless by common counsel of our Kingdom, except for ransoming our person, for making our eldest son a Knight, and for once marrying our eldest daughter; and for these there shall not be levied more than a reasonable aid. In like manner it shall be done concerning aids from the city of London.
13. And the city of London shall have all its ancient liberties and free customs, as well by land as by water; furthermore, we decree and grant that all other cities, boroughs, towns, and ports shall have all their liberties and free customs.
14. And for obtaining the common counsel of the kingdom the assessing of an aid (except in the three cases aforesaid) or of a scutage, we will cause to be summoned the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, and greater Barons, severally by our letters; and we will moreover cause to be summoned generally, through our Sheriffs and Bailiffs, all others who hold of us in chief, for a fixed date, namely, after the expiry of at least forty days, and at a fixed place; and in all letters of such summons we will specify the reason of the summons. And when the summons has thus been made, the business shall proceed on the day appointed, according to the counsel of such as are present, although not all who were summoned have come.
15. We will not for the future grant to any one license to take an aid from his own free tenants, except to ransom his body, to make his eldest son a knight, and once to marry his eldest daughter; and on each of these occasions there shall be levied only a reasonable aid.
16. No one shall be distrained for performance of greater service for a Knight's fee, or for any other free tenement, than is due there from.
17. Common pleas shall not follow our court, but shall be held in some fixed place.
18. Inquests of novel disseisin, of mort d'ancester and of darrein presentment, shall not be held elsewhere than in their own county courts and that in manner following...We, or if we should be out of the Realm, our chief Justiciar, will send two Justiciars through every county four times a year, who shall, along with four Knights of the county chosen by the county, hold the said assize in the county court, on the day and in the place of meeting of that court.
19. And if any of the said assizes cannot be taken on the day of the county court, let there remain of the Knights and freeholders, who were present at the county court on that day, as many as may be required for the efficient making of judgments, according as the business be more or less.
20. A freeman shall not be amerced for a slight offense, except in accordance with the degree of the offense; and for a grave offense he shall be amerced in accordance with the gravity of the offense, yet saving always his"contenement;" and a merchant in the same way, saving his "merchandise;" and avillein shall be amerced in the same way, saving his "wainage"--if they have fallen into our mercy: and none of the aforesaid amercements shall be imposed except by the oath of honest men of the neighborhood.
21. Earls and Barons shall not be amerced except through their peers, and only in accordance with the degree of the offense.
22. A clerk shall not be amerced in respect of his lay holding except after the manner of the others aforesaid; further, he shall not be amerced in accordance with the extent of his ecclesiastical benefice.
23. No village or individual shall be compelled to make bridges at river-banks, except those who from of old were legally bound to do so.
24. No Sheriff, Constable, Coroners, or others of our Bailiffs, shall hold pleas of our Crown.
25. All counties, hundreds, wapentakes, and trithings (except our demesnemanors) shall remain at old rents, and without any additional payment.
26. If any one holding of us a lay fief shall die, and our sheriff or Bailiff shall exhibit our letters patent of summons for a debt which the deceased owed to us, it shall be lawful for our sheriff or bailiff to attach and catalogue chattels of the deceased, found upon the lay fief, to the value of that debt,at the sight of law-worthy men, provided always that nothing whatever be thence removed until the debt which is evident shall be fully paid to us; and the residue shall be left to the executors to fulfil the will of the deceased; and if there be nothing due from him to us, all the chattels shall go to the deceased, saving to his wife and children their reasonable shares.
27. If any freeman shall die intestate, his chattels shall be distributed by the hands of his nearest kinsfolk and friends, under supervision of the church, saving to every one the debts which the deceased owed to him.
28. No Constable or other Bailiff of ours shall take corn or other provisions from any one without immediately tendering money there for, unless he can have postponement thereof by permission of the seller.
29. No Constable shall compel any Knight to give money in lieu of castle-guard, when he is willing to perform it in his own person, or (if he cannot do it from any reasonable cause) then by another responsible man. Further, if we have led or sent him upon military service, he shall be relieved from guard in proportion to the time during which he has been on service because of us.
30. No Sheriff or Bailiff of ours, or other person, shall take the horses or carts of any freeman for transport duty, against the will of the said freeman.
31. Neither we nor our bailiffs shall take, for our castles or for any other work of ours, wood which is not ours, against the will of the owner of that wood.
32. We will not retain beyond one year and one day, the lands of those who have been convicted of felony, and the lands shall there after be handed over to the Lords of the fiefs.
33. All kiddles for the future shall be removed altogether from Thames and Medway, and throughout all England, except upon the seashore.
34. The writ which is called praecipe shall not for the future be issued to any one, regarding any tenement whereby a freeman may lose his court.
35. Let there be one measure of wine throughout our whole Realm; and one measure of ale; and one measure of corn, to wit, "the London quarter;" and one width of cloth (whether dyed, or russet, or "halberget"), to wit, two ells within the selvages; of weights also let it be as of measures.
36. Nothing in future shall be given or taken for a writ of inquisition of life or limbs, but freely it shall be granted, and never denied.
37. If any one holds of us by fee-farm, by socage, or by burgage, and holds also land of another Lord by Knight's service, we will not (by reason of that fee-farm, socage, or burgage) have the wardship of the heir, or of such land of his as is of the fief of that other; nor shall we have wardship of that fee-farm, socage, or burgage, unless such fee-farm owes Knight's service. We will not by reason of any small serjeanty which any one may hold of us by the service of rendering to us knives, arrows, or the like, have wardship of his heir of of the land which he holds of another lord by Knight's service.
38. No Bailiff for the future shall, upon his own unsupported complaint, putany one to his "law," without credible witnesses brought for this purpose.
39. No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned or disseised or exiled or in anyway destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.
40. To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right orj ustice.
41. All merchants shall have safe and secure exit from England, and entry to England, with the right to tarry there and to move about as well by land as by water, for buying and selling by the ancient and right customs, quit from all evil tolls, except (in time of war) such merchants as are of the land at war with us. And if such are found in our land at the beginning of the war, they shall be detained, without injury to their bodies or goods, until information be received by us, or by our chief Justiciar, how the merchants of our land found in the land at war with us are treated; and if our men are safe there the others shall be safe in our land.
42. It shall be lawful in future for any one (excepting always those imprisoned or outlawed in accordance with the law of the Kingdom, and natives of any country at war with us, and merchants, who shall be treated as is above provided) to leave our Kingdom and to return, safe and secure by land and water, except for a short period in time of war, on grounds of public policy--reserving always the allegiance due to us.
43. If any one holding of some escheat (such as the honor of Wallingford, Nottingham, Boulogne, Lancaster, or of other escheats which are in our hands and are baronies) shall die, his heir shall give no other relief, and perform no other service to us than he would have done to the Baron, if that barony had been in the Baron's hand; and we shall hold it in the same manner in which the Baron held it.
44. Men who dwell without the forest need not hence forth come before our Justiciars of the forest upon a general summons, except those who are impleaded, or who have become sureties for any person or persons attached for forest offenses.
45. We will appoint as justices, Constables, Sheriffs, or Bailiffs only such as know the law of the Realm and mean to observe it well.
46. All Barons who have founded abbeys, concerning which they hold charters from the Kings of England, or of which they have long-continued possession, shall have the wardship of them, when vacant, as they ought to have.
47. All forests that have been made such in our time shall forthwith be disafforested; and a similar course shall be followed with regard toriver-banks that have been placed "in defense" by us in our time.
48. All evil customs connected with forests and warrens, Foresters and Warreners, Sheriffs and their officers, river-banks and their wardens, shall immediately be inquired into in each county by twelve sworn Knights of the same county chosen by the honest men of the same county, and shall, within forty days of the said inquest, be utterly abolished, so as never to be restored, provided always that we previously have intimation there of, or our Justiciar,if we should not be in England.
49. We will immediately restore all hostages and charters delivered to us by Englishmen, as sureties of the peace or of faithful service.
50. We will entirely remove from their bailiwicks, the relations of Gerard Athee (so that in future they shall have no bailiwick in England); namely, Engelard of Cigogne, Peter, Guy and Andrew of Chanceaux, Guy of Cigogne, Geofrrey of Martigny with his brothers Philip Mark with his brothers and his nephew Geoffrey and the whole brood of the same.
51. As soon as peace is restored, we will banish from the Kingdom all foreign-born Knights, cross-bowmen, Serjeants, and mercenary soldiers, who have come with horses and arms to the Kingdom's hurt.
52. If any one has been dispossessed or removed by us, without the legal judgment of his peers, from his lands, castles, franchises, or from his right, we will immediately restore them to him; and if a dispute arise over this, then let it be decided by the five-and-twenty Barons of whom mention is made below in the clause for securing the peace. Moreover, for all those possessions, from which any one has, without the lawful judgment of his peers, been disseised or removed, by our father, King Henry, or by our brother, King Richard, and which we retain in our hand (or which are possessed by others, to whom we are bound to warrant them) we shall have respite until the usual term of crusaders; excepting those things about which a plea has been raised, or an inquest made by our order, before our taking of the cross; but as soon as we return from our expedition (or if perchance we desist from the expedition) we will immediately grant full justice therein.
53. We shall have, moreover, the same respite and in the same manner in rendering justice concerning the disafforestation or retention of those forests which Henry our father and Richard our brother afforested, and concerning wardship of lands which are of the fief of another (namely, such wardships as we have hitherto had by reason of a fief which any one held of us by Knight's service), and concerning abbeys founded on other fiefs than our own, in which the Lord of the fief claims to have right; and when we have returned, or if we desist from our expedition, we will immediately grant full justice to all who complain of such things.
54. No one shall be arrested or imprisoned upon the appeal of a woman, for the death of any other than her husband.
55. All fines made with us unjustly and against the law of the land, and all amercements imposed unjustly and against the law of the land, shall be entirely remitted, or else it shall be done concerning them according to the decision of the five-and-twenty Barons of whom mention is made below in the clause for securing the peace, or according to the judgment of the majority of the same, along with the aforesaid Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury, if he can be present and such others as he may wish to bring with him for this purpose, and if he cannot be present the business shall nevertheless proceed without him, provided always that if any one or more of the aforesaid five-and-twenty Barons are in a similar suit, they shall be removed as far as concerns this particular judgment, others being substituted in their places after having been selected by the rest of the same five-and-twenty for this purpose only, and after having been sworn.
56. If we have disseised or removed Welshmen from lands or liberties, or other things, without the legal judgment of their peers in England or in Wales, they shall be immediately restored to them; and if a dispute arise over this, then let it be decided in the marches by the judgment of their peers; for tenements in England according to the law of England, for tenements in Wales according tothe law of Wales, and for tenements in the marches according to the law of the marches. Welshmen shall do the same to us and ours.
57. Further, for all those possessions from which any Welshman has, without the lawful judgment of his peers, been disseised or removed by King Henry our father or King Richard our brother, and which we retain in our hand (or which are possessed by others, to whom we are bound to warrant them) we shall have respite until the usual term of crusaders; excepting those things about which a plea has been raised or an inquest made by our order before we took the cross; but as soon as we return (or if perchance we desist from our expedition), we will immediately grant full justice in accordance with the laws of the Welsh and in relation to the foresaid regions.
58. We will immediately give up the son of Llywelyn and all the hostages ofWales, and the charters delivered to us as security for the peace.
59. We will do toward Alexander, King of Scots, concerning the return of his sisters and his hostages, and concerning his franchises, and his right, in the same manner as we shall do toward our other Barons of England, unless it ought to be otherwise according to the charters which we hold from William his father, formerly King of Scots; and this shall be according to the judgment of his peers in our court.
60. Moreover, all these aforesaid customs and liberties, the observance of which we have granted in our kingdom as far as pertains to us toward our men, shall be observed by all of our Kingdom, as well clergy as laymen, as far as pertains to them toward their men.
61. Since, moreover, for God and the amendment of our Kingdom and for the better allaying of the quarrel that has arisen between us and our Barons, we have granted all these concessions, desirous that they should enjoy them in complete and firm endurance for ever, we give and grant to them the underwritten security, namely, that the Barons choose five-and-twenty Barons of the Kingdom, whomsoever they will, who shall be bound with all their might, to observe and hold, and cause to be observed, the peace and liberties we have granted and confirmed to them by this our present Charter, so that if we, or our Justiciar, or our Bailiffs or any one of our officers, shall in anything be at fault toward any one, or shall have broken any one of the articles of the peace or of this security, and the offense be notified to four Barons of the aforesaid five-and-twenty, the said four Barons shall repair to us (or our Justiciar, if we are out of the Realm) and laying the transgression before us, petition to have that transgression redressed without delay.
And if we shall not have corrected the transgression (or, in the event of our being out of the Realm, if our Justiciar shall not have corrected it) within forty days, reckoning from the time it has been intimated to us (or to our Justiciar, if we should be out of the Realm), the four Barons aforesaid shall refer that matter to the rest of the five-and-twenty Barons, and those five-and-twenty Barons shall, together with the community of the whole land, distrain and distress us in all possible ways, namely, by seizing our castles, lands, possessions, and in any other way they can, until redress has been obtained as they deem fit, saving harmless our own person, and the persons of our queen and children; and when redress has been obtained, they shall resume their old relations toward us. And let whoever in the country desires it, swear to obey the orders of the said five-and-twenty Barons for the execution of all the aforesaid matters, and along with them, to molest us to the utmost of his power; and we publicly and freely grant leave to every one who wishes to swear, and we shall never forbid any one to swear.
All those, moreover, in the land who of them selves and of their own accord are unwilling to swear to the twenty-five to help them in constraining and molesting us, we shall by our command compel the same to swear to the effect aforesaid. And if any one of the five-and-twenty Barons shall have died or departed from the land, or be incapacitated in any other manner which would prevent the foresaid provisions being carried out, those of the said twenty-five Barons who are left shall choose another in his place according to their own judgment, and he shall be sworn in the same way as the others. Further, in all matters, the execution of which is intrusted to the setwenty-five Barons, if perchance these twenty-five are present, that which the majority of those present ordain or command shall be held as fixed and established, exactly as if the whole twenty-five had concurred in this; and the said twenty-five shall swear that they will faithfully observe all that is aforesaid, and cause it to be observed with all their might.
And we shallprocure nothing from any one, directly or indirectly, whereby any part of these concessions and liberties might be revoked or diminished; and if any such thing has been procured, let it be void and null, and we shall never use it personally or by another.
62. And all the ill-will, hatreds, and bitterness that have arisen between usand our men, clergy and lay, from the date of the quarrel, we have completely remitted and pardoned every one. Moreover, all trespasses occasioned by the said quarrel, from Easter in the sixteenth year of our reign till the restoration of peace, we have fully remitted to all, both clergy and laymen,and completely forgiven, as far as pertains to us. And, on this head, we havecaused to be made for them letters testimonial patent of the Lord Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury, of the Lord Henry, Archbishop of Dublin, of the Bishops aforesaid and of Master Pandulf as touching this security and the concessions aforesaid.
63. Wherefore it is our will, and we firmly enjoin, that the English Church be free, and that the men in our Kingdom have and hold all the aforesaid liberties, rights, and concessions, well and peaceably, freely and quietly,fully and wholly, for themselves and their heirs, of us and our heirs, in all respects and in all places for ever, as is aforesaid. An oath, moreover, has been taken, as well on our part as on the part of the Barons, that all these conditions aforesaid shall be kept in good faith and without evil intent. Given under our hand--the above-named and many others being witnesses--in the meadow which is called Runnymede, between Windsor and Staines, on the fifteenth day of June, in the seventeenth year of our reign.
Taxation
Taxation is the principle power of governments the world over, it is through the power of patronage that governments retain relevance. It is through patronage that governments gain or lose favour the electorate.
People vote with their pockets!
It is also because of taxation that people originally demanded a say in government through voting. It is spending that Parliaments were originally set up to scrutinise.
However governments now tend to be able to get away with tax increases through stealth, that is why I believe that Article IX of my new Bill of Rights 2005 is especially important. It would prevent governments from recklessly raising taxes.
If any electorate has to vote on whether they will pay more tax the vast majority of the time they will emphatically vote NO
So instead of ruining our incomes or pensions, they will have to cut wasteful spending, local councils would also be included, that would be wonderful, seeing referendum after referendum defeated in Camden, Hackney etc
People vote with their pockets!
It is also because of taxation that people originally demanded a say in government through voting. It is spending that Parliaments were originally set up to scrutinise.
However governments now tend to be able to get away with tax increases through stealth, that is why I believe that Article IX of my new Bill of Rights 2005 is especially important. It would prevent governments from recklessly raising taxes.
If any electorate has to vote on whether they will pay more tax the vast majority of the time they will emphatically vote NO
So instead of ruining our incomes or pensions, they will have to cut wasteful spending, local councils would also be included, that would be wonderful, seeing referendum after referendum defeated in Camden, Hackney etc
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Adendum
Just for the record: Article I of my new Bill of Rights does not imply Islam, which is a wicked and subversive ideology, This is made plain in article X, as Muslims are foreigners. If Islam did reform itself, all well and good!
As long as we had an Act of Parliament stating that the citizenship of first, second and third generation immigrants could be revoked, this would solve any possible difficulties!
This Bill is not about giving suicide bombers more 'rights'
As long as we had an Act of Parliament stating that the citizenship of first, second and third generation immigrants could be revoked, this would solve any possible difficulties!
This Bill is not about giving suicide bombers more 'rights'
My Bill of Rights
Bellow is my suggestion for a new and improved Bill of Rights!!
It is intended for English speaking nations (excluding the US which has a perfectly good one)
It is inspired, no doubt you will notice, mainly from the Bill of Rights of 1688 and the US Bill of Rights, but also has influences from the European convention on Human Rights, and also has a few of my own predjudices about property and tax!!
The reason I jotted this down was due to the piss poor bills of rights I have read. Unlike the American one most are uninspiring, boring, leftist claptrap full of really relevant stuff like, 'the right not to be slaves' or 'the right to welfare and education' etc. Hardly ever do they guarentee the right to property or one's own money!!
I wonder why?
It is intended for English speaking nations (excluding the US which has a perfectly good one)
It is inspired, no doubt you will notice, mainly from the Bill of Rights of 1688 and the US Bill of Rights, but also has influences from the European convention on Human Rights, and also has a few of my own predjudices about property and tax!!
The reason I jotted this down was due to the piss poor bills of rights I have read. Unlike the American one most are uninspiring, boring, leftist claptrap full of really relevant stuff like, 'the right not to be slaves' or 'the right to welfare and education' etc. Hardly ever do they guarentee the right to property or one's own money!!
I wonder why?
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