The original charter, 1215
In its own words
Magna Carta was written in Latin by royal scribes on a single sheet of parchment. Four copies from 1215 survive: two at the British Library, one at Lincoln Castle and one at Salisbury Cathedral.
Preamble
Johannes Dei gratia rex Anglie, dominus Hibernie, dux Normannie et Aquitannie, et comes Andegavie, archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciariis, forestariis, vicecomitibus, prepositis, ministris et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis salutem.
John, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, justices, foresters, sheriffs, reeves, officials, and all his bailiffs and loyal subjects, greeting.
Clause 1
In primis concessisse Deo et hac presenti carta nostra confirmasse, pro nobis et heredibus nostris in perpetuum, quod Anglicana ecclesia libera sit…
First, we have granted to God, and by this present charter confirmed for us and our heirs for ever, that the English Church shall be free…
Clause 39
Nullus liber homo capiatur, vel imprisonetur, aut disseisiatur, aut utlagetur, aut exuletur, aut aliquo modo destruatur, nec super eum ibimus, nec super eum mittemus, nisi per legale judicium parium suorum vel per legem terre.
No free man shall be arrested or imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed or exiled, or harmed in any way, nor shall we go against him or send others against him, except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land.
Clause 40
Nulli vendemus, nulli negabimus, aut differemus, rectum aut justiciam.
To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or delay, right or justice.
Sealing
Data per manum nostram in prato quod vocatur Ronimede, inter Windlesoram et Stanes, quinto decimo die junii, anno regni nostri decimo septimo.
Given by our hand in the meadow called Runnymede, between Windsor and Staines, on the fifteenth day of June, in the seventeenth year of our reign.
Latin text of the 1215 charter, with English translation.
