74
The Constitution’s Deep Roots
another in his room, at their discretion, who shall be sworn in like manner
as the rest. In all things that are committed to the execution of these fiveand-twenty barons, if, when they are all assembled about any matter, and
some of them, when summoned, will not or cannot come, whatever is
agreed upon, or enjoined, by the major part of those that are present shall
be reputed as firm and valid as if all the five-and-twenty had given their
consent; and the aforesaid five-and-twenty shall swear that all the premises they shall faithfully observe, and cause with all their power to be observed. And we will procure nothing from any one, by ourselves nor by
another, whereby any of these concessions and liberties may be revoked
or lessened; and if any such thing shall have been obtained, let it be null
and void; neither will we ever make use of it either by ourselves or any
other. And all the ill-will, indignations, and rancours that have arisen between us and our subjects, of the clergy and laity, from the first breaking
out of the dissensions between us, we do fully remit and forgive: moreover, all trespasses occasioned by the said dissensions, from Easter in the
sixteenth year of our reign till the restoration of peace and tranquility, we
hereby entirely remit to all, both clergy and laity, and as far as in us lies
do fully forgive. We have, moreover, caused to be made for them the
letters patent testimonial of Stephen, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury,
Henry, Lord Archbishop of Dublin, and the bishops aforesaid, as also of
Master Pandulph, for the security and concessions aforesaid.
63. Wherefore we will and firmly enjoin, that the Church of England be
free, and that all men in our kingdom have and hold all the aforesaid liberties, rights, and concessions, truly and peaceably, freely and quietly,
fully and wholly to themselves and their heirs, of us and our heirs, in all
things and places, for ever, as is aforesaid. It is also sworn, as well on our
part as on the part of the barons, that all the things aforesaid shall be observed in good faith, and without evil subtilty. Given under our hand, in
the presence of the witnesses above named, and many others, in the
meadow called Runingmede, between Windsor and Staines, the 15th day
of June, in the 17th year of the reign.