[MR] Wikipedia: Magna Carta Day

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble friends,

On this date in 1215, "Bad" King John of England agreed with his rebellious
barons to a charter limiting his powers which was later known as *Magna
Carta*.

The agreement was reached at "rushy" Runnymede near Windsor, a piece of
swampy ground that was a traditional place of assembly (it was also midway
between the King's stronghold at Windsor Castle and the barons' base at
Stains).

Although John agreed in principle to the Barons' charter, the final version
was not worked out until ten days later. In any case, the King was playing
for time in the hope that Pope Innocent would intervene on his behalf, as
actually happened, though given the complete lack of telephones in those
days it took a while. Neither the King or the barons had any intention of
honoring the deal.

King John DID NOT *sign* *Magna Carta.* In fact, nobody did. Nor was *Magna
Carta* a "charter of the people's rights" as a famous poem claims. It
applied only to the rights of the barons, though some of its provisions
would be extended to commoners under later English law.

You can read more about Magna Carta at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.