Magna Carta: Rules and Order Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Clause.Sentence)

Quote #1

Ordinary lawsuits shall not follow the royal court around, but shall be held in a fixed place. (17.1)

Rule and order step one: make it so that people can actually get to a courtroom.

Quote #2

There shall be standard measures of wine, ale, and corn (the London quarter), throughout the kingdom. There shall also be a standard width of dyed cloth, russet, and haberject, namely two ells within the selvedges. Weights are to be standardised similarly. (35.1-3)

This clause might seem a bit random, but if you're going to start making rules, weights and measurements might not be a bad place to start. This time period is known for having completely arbitrary and made-up systems of measurement that changed frequently.

Quote #3

In future nothing shall be paid or accepted for the issue of a writ of inquisition of life or limbs. It shall be given gratis, and not refused. (36.1-2)

Having rules is good, but you're also going to have to enforce them and investigate when they've been broken. That's kind of what a government does.