How we cite our quotes: (Clause.Sentence)
Quote #1
The English Church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished, and its liberties unimpaired. (1.1)
Sounds a little like separation of church and state…although in this case it's the church telling the king to get the heck out.
Quote #2
Earls and barons shall be fined only by their equals, and in proportion to the gravity of their offence. (21.1)
No more using an overdue library book as an excuse to take away someone's castle. This clause basically said the King could no longer hand down punishments willy-nilly—and that when punishments did get doled out, they had to be reasonable.
Quote #3
In future no official shall place a man on trial upon his own unsupported statement, without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it. (38.1)
It turns out people want the right to defend themselves in court, even against the king's officials. Sound anything like the U.S.'s Bill of Rights?
Quote #4
No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. (39.1)
That's a long list of stuff the king won't do anymore. How long do you think it took the barons to come up with all of those? And what if they left any out?
Quote #5
To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice. (40.1)
It has a nice ring to it; they should have led with this one…and maybe tattooed it onto the king's chest. Today this is one of the most lasting Magna Carta tidbits and has remained in most constitutions and codes of laws.