【Supplementary Reading】
The Magna Carta，also known as The Great Charter of English Liberty，was signed by King John on June 15，1215.The first 60 paragraphs of the document listed all the freedoms the King granted to the people，meaning the nobles at that time.It became a very important part of the British constitution.The following excerpts are some of the clauses of the document.
Magna Carta
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，stewards，servants，and to all his officials and loyal subjects，Greeting.
KNOW THAT BEFORE GOD，for the health of our soul and those of our ancestors and heirs，to the honour of God，the exaltation of the holy Church，and the better ordering of our kingdom，at the advice of our reverend fathers Stephen，archbishop of Canterbury，primate of all England，and cardinal of the holy Roman Church，Henry archbishop of Dublin，…，and other loyal subjects：
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（13）The city of London shall enjoy all its ancient liberties and free customs，both by land and by water.We also will and grant that all other cities，boroughs，towns，and ports shall enjoy all their liberties and free customs.
（15）In future we will allow no one to levy an“aid”from his free men，except to ransom his person，to make his eldest son a knight，and（once）to marry his eldest daughter.For these purposes only a reasonable“aid”may be levied.
（21）Earls and barons shall be fined only by their equals，and in proportion to the gravity of their offence.
（30）No sheriff，royal official，or other person shall take horses or carts for transport from any free man，without his consent.
（31）Neither we nor any royal official will take wood for our castle，or for any other purpose，without the consent of the owner.
（32）We will not keep the lands of people convicted of felony in our hand for longer than a year and a day，after which they shall be returned to the lords of the“fees”concerned.
（38）In future no official shall place a man on trial upon his own unsupported statement，without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it.
（39）No free man shall be seized or imprisoned，or stripped of his rights or possessions，or outlawed or exiled，or deprived of his standing in any other way，nor will we proceed with force against him，or send others to do so，except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.
（40）To no one will we sell，to no one deny or delay right or justice.
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（63）It is accordingly our wish and command that the English Church shall be free，and that men in our kingdom shall have and keep all these liberties，rights，and concessions，well and peaceably in their fullness and entirety for them and their heirs，of us and our heirs，in all things and all places for ever.