Magna Carta: A Commentary on the Great Charter of King John / With an Historical Introduction

The author offers a historical introduction recounting the political and administrative developments that produced the 1215 charter, analyzes feudal grievances and royal abuses that provoked baronial revolt, and then supplies a detailed, clause-by-clause legal commentary explaining language, background, and implications of each provision. The work examines relations among crown, barons, church, and local government, traces subsequent reissues and reforms, surveys manuscripts and earlier editions, and provides bibliographical and footnoted evidence to support its interpretations. Emphasis is placed on applying contemporary scholarship to clarify medieval legal practice and the charter's practical effects.