Regarded by many as the classic work and primary source on Magna Carta this 1914 book from Professor William Sharp Mckechnie is a timely and essential introduction to the understanding of the historical background, origins and circumstances of "The Great Charter of the Liberties of England".
It includes an in-depth historical introduction alongside the original Latin text, his translation and scholarly commentary.
The Magna Carta was one of the foundations of English liberty. It was a prime influence on the early American colonists and the formation of the American Constitution in 1789, which became the supreme law of the land in the new republic of the United States.
“A book remarkable alike for its solid learning, its fertility in suggestion, and its characteristic note of moderation and sweet reasonableness ... No one will close the book without feeling that his knowledge of Magna Carta has been greatly amplified and enriched ...” — The Times.
“Of the great merit and value of the present essay there can, we think, be little doubt. The historical and juridical methods adopted by the author are sound and intelligent. His style is attractive and sufficiently concise, whilst his equipment for such a formidable task is very considerable. As the result of these elaborate studies, we have an entirely new view of the Great Charter in its legal and constitutional aspects and political environment.” — Athenaeum.
“Mr. McKechnie’s work is of such great value that no historian can afford to neglect its clear and reasoned statements on all the questions which centre round the scene at Runnymede, and on the economic facts which led up to, and away from, that momentous conference.” — Spectator.
“Bears with it the collective wisdom of all the commentaries, ancient and modern, dispassionately scrutinised and sifted with close and varied learning on medieval institutions ... It is a great theme, and to say that it is at last adequately treated, from the constitutional side, is well merited praise.” — Juridical Review.
“Few more readable books — except to those who can read nothing but fiction — have ever been written.” — Liberty Review.
'Students of the historical development of the law of the British Constitution owe a welcome to the appearance of this learned treatise, a work which brings the interpretation of a prime document of political liberty abreast of recent advances in knowledge which, in legal history no less than in other departments of inquiry, have brought in new views of old facts.” — Scotsman.
“Dr. McKechnie has given very satisfactory explanations of most of the knotty points of the Charter, and we may specially commend the sanity of his exposition of the constitutional clauses. Altogether his book is a useful and solid help in the study of the numerous difficulties involved in the text of the Great Charter.” — Manchester Guardian.
“It has already won its place as the standard treatise on the Great Charter.” — Scottish Law Review.
“Of permanent value to students of English constitutional history.” — Annual Register.
William Sharp McKechnie (1863 - 1930) was a Scottish scholar, historian, lecturer in Constitutional Law and History, and author of Magna Carta: A Commentary on the Great Charter of King John with an Historical Introduction. He later held the Chair of Conveyancing at the University of Glasgow from 1916 until 1927, and upon his retirement was awarded an honorary LL.D.
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