64
The Constitution’s Deep Roots
firmed by our Charter, and obtained the confirmation of the same from
our Lord and Pope Innocent III, before the discord between us and our
barons, was granted of mere free will; which Charter we shall observe,
and we do will it to be faithfully observed by our heirs for ever.
2. grant of liberty to freemen
We also have granted to all the freemen of our kingdom, for us and for
our heirs for ever, all the underwritten liberties, to be had and holden by
them and their heirs, of us and our heirs for ever: If any of our earls, or
barons, or others, who hold of us in chief by military service, shall die,
and at the time of his death his heir shall be of full age, and owe a relief,
he shall have his inheritance by the ancient relief—that is to say, the heir
or heirs of an earl, for a whole earldom, by a hundred pounds; the heir or
heirs of a baron, for a whole barony, by a hundred pounds; their heir or
heirs of a knight, for a whole knight’s fee, by a hundred shillings at
most; and whoever oweth less shall give less according to the ancient
custom of fees.
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12. no tax (scutage) except by the general council
No scutage or aid shall be imposed in our kingdom, unless by the general
council of our kingdom; except for ransoming our person, making our
eldest son a knight, and once for marrying our eldest daughter; and for
these there shall be paid no more than a reasonable aid. In like manner it
shall be concerning the aids of the City of London.
13. liberties of london and other towns
And the City of London shall have all its ancient liberties and free customs, as well by land as by water; furthermore, we will and grant that all
other cities and boroughs, and towns and ports, shall have all their liberties and free customs.
14. general council shall consent to assessment
of taxes
And for holding the general council of the kingdom concerning the assessment of aids, except in the three cases aforesaid, and for the assessing