Magna Carta Primary Source

38.No bailiff (officer of the court) for the future shall, upon his own unsupported complaint, put anyone to his "law," without credible witnesses brought for this purposes.

What is this quote saying about the bailiff?

• they can't punish people without having a credible witness

• they can't arrest people without having seen the crime

• they can't complain about people without knowing the "law"

• they can't be punished unless they're a bailiff

39.No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned...or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we (the king) go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgement by his peers or by the law of the land.

Who can punish people under this new system?

• their peers

• their king

• any freeman

• those who are imprisoned

40.To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice.

What might have been happening under the king that caused the need for this article in the Magna Carta?

• people were being imprisoned without a trial

• people were being given a fair trial

• people were being sold after their trial

• people were revolting against the king

45.We will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or bailiffs only such as know the law of the realm and mean to observe it well.

Who should be government officials according to this excerpt?

• those who know and follow the rules

• those who were appointed

• the constables, sheriffs, bailiffs and justices

• anyone the king saw fit

45.We, will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or bailiffs only such as know the law of the realm and mean to observe it well?

Why did the English nobles want to have the right listed on #45?

• so they would not be unjustly or unfairly accused or punished

• so they would be able to make final decisions on what laws to enforce

• so they would be able to hold the offices listed in the Magna Carta

• so they would be able to sue the king

Which of the statements is a forerunner to the right to a speedy and public trial listed in the US constitution?

• 38. No bailiff (officer of the court) for the future shall, upon his own unsupported complaint, put anyone to his "law," without credible witness brought for this purposes.

• 39. No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned...or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we (the king) go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land.

• 40. To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice

• 45. We will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or bailiffs only such as know the law of the realm and mean to observe it well.