Magna Carta: Defeat Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Clause.Sentence)

Quote #1

All forests that have been created in our reign shall at once be disafforested. River-banks that have been enclosed in our reign shall be treated similarly. (47.1-2)

And with a snap of his fingers all the forests and rivers were public again and all the townspeople cheered. It's like the ending to a movie…except it didn't really happen because King John didn't really mean it.

Quote #2

We will at once return all hostages and charters delivered up to us by Englishmen as security for peace or for loyal service. (49.1)

These hostages are probably the children of nobles King John was keeping locked up to make sure that their parents stayed loyal to him.

Quote #3

To any man whom we have deprived or dispossessed of lands, castles, liberties, or rights, without the lawful judgment of his equals, we will at once restore these. (52.1)

It sounds like he's already lost a war; he's undoing everything that's happened in his entire reign. But maybe he has his fingers crossed behind his back…