BRITS AT THEIR BEST: The Knights British History Freedom – On the road to Magna Carta, Code of Chivalry, Christianity, Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord's Knight, Plantagenet kings, King John, William Marshal, Charter of Liberties, Common Law, Law of Edward the Confessor, Bouvines Copyright 2007 David Abbott and Catherine Glass

Brits at their Best.com: British History, Culture & Sports, History of Freedom, Heroes, Inventors

THE KNIGHTS &
PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

Never a dull moment on the road to Runnymede

New Temple, London, built by the Knights Templar
Originally so poor they rode into battle two on a horse,
the Knights Templar were an order of monastic knights who protected pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. Sometimes called the White Knights, they wore white tunics with the red Crusader's Cross.

Ebook cover with London Eye

This file has become part of an ebook and hardcover. The story of Magna Carta is described in the ebook Share the Inheritance, 12 Gifts from Great Britain, Amazon UK and Amazon USA, and in the illustrated hardcover, which contains 125 colour images, and is available at Amazon UK and Amazon USA.

Book Cover share the inheritance

Next, the battle to defend Magna Carta and the Sovereignty of England. William Marshal and his son will be in the thick of it.

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English bulldog puppy

BRITISH HISTORY

THE STORY of
FREEDOM

LIBERTY! THE TIMELINE

Four great themes emerge as the Brits fight for freedom.
THE FREEDOM NETWORK

BRITS WHO LOVE
FREEDOM

Knights and monk

THE KNIGHTS & PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

Never a dull moment on the road to Runnymede

Parts 1 - 4

Parts 5- 6

Part 8

Turner traces the Charter's legacy through the centuries and outside the United Kingdom, especially North America, where the Charter enjoys greater prestige than in Britain. U.S. citizens claim Magna Carta as a source of their liberties.

For UK orders

For US orders

Roger of Wendover wrote his account of the meeting at Bury St Edmunds in his book Flores Historiarum (The Flowers of History) about ten years after the events. J.C. Holt subsequently pointed out that Wendover was not always a reliable chronicler, but Wendover's account receives support from another contemporary source, the Chronique de l’Histoire des Ducs de Normandie.

Edmund in robes with a red arrow

From the Wilton Diptych

King Edmund died in 869, killed by invaders when he refused to renounce his faith or hold his kingdom as a vassal.

Historians today refer to Magna Carta as the barons' charter. It was the people's charter, as the citizens of London, Oxford, Exeter and many other towns and cities bore witness.

Some modern historians have claimed that the knights were too ignorant to have contributed much to Magna Carta. But a number of the knight-barons had been sheriffs or served on judicial eyres, the circuit courts held by itinerant royal justices in medieval England. "Most if not all would have gained a close working knowledge of law and government through involvement in local administration and by direct contact with the king and his ministers" (DNB).

Original manuscript of Magna Carta with stains and the King's seal

A few copies of Magna Carta survive.

Magna Carta does not give much respect to women as witnesses in court cases. However, it is the 13th century. The Great Charter sets a remarkable precedent for justice and freedom unlike anything anywhere else in the world.