Being of a certain age and anticipating the Fiftieth Reunion of my graduating class from Erasmus Hall High School in May of this year I can admit, with all candor, that it has been quite some time since I was a student of either English or American history. That when told of this year’s Law Day topic—Magna Carta: Symbol of Freedom Under Law—and encouraged to write an article, I had to “hit the books.” Well, the Internet, really. It is 2015! For truly, what could I say, without delving into the subject, about a document that has survived for 800 years; that forms, to a greater or lesser extent, the basis of the liberties that we, as Americans, direct descendants of the British legal system, hold so dear? And although we think, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” (a statement belied by the activities of my own perky senior citizen pooch!) it was truly a pleasure to learn about the document that symbolizes the principle that no “man is above the law.”
The Great Charter was agreed to by King John of England, in a meadow at Runnymede, on June 15, 1215. It was drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to make peace between the Crown and a group of rebel barons. It is one of the most important documents in history. It guaranteed the people certain rights and bound the king to certain laws. Three months later it was declared invalid by the Pope but reissued, in a slightly altered form, the following year. Reissued several times thereafter, it is interesting to note that it was not until 1354 that Magna Carta’s benefits were extended from “free men” to “men of whatever estate or condition he may be.” Although my research revealed nothing with regard to gender, it is hoped, by the president of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, the protections afforded by Magna Carta were extended to and meant to include women! Certainly, as time went by, they were.
