There is no transaction in the ancient part of our English History more interesting and important, than the rise and progress, the gradual mutation and final establishment of the Charters of Liberties.

SIR WILLIAM BLACKSTONE.

It is called MAGNA CHARTA, not that it is great in quantity, for there be many voluminous Charters commonly passed, specially in these later times, longer than this is; nor, comparatively, in respect that it is greater than Charta de Foresta, but in respect of the great importance and weightiness of the matter, as shall hereafter appear.

-As the gold-finer will not out of the dust, threads, or shreds of gold, let pass the least crumb, in respect of the excellency of the metal; so ought not the learned reader to let pass any syllable of THIS LAW in respect of the excellency of the matter.

SIR EDWARD COKE.

Printed by J. Johnson, 10, Brook Street, Holborn.

ETC. ETC. ETC.

MY LORD,

I have at length the honour and pleasure of publicly inscribing with your distinguished Name, the ensuing Historical Work on Magna Charta. Such a Dedication is singularly appropriate, not only from several of your Ancestors having been engaged in the events here related; but also because the first idea of this Volume arose out of my introduction to your Lordship, and

because your patronage was so readily extended towards it when it was originally commenced.

That its completion has been so long delayed, has been to myself a constant source of regret; yet I would fain hope that the Work is certainly now far more worthy of your Lordship's acceptance, than it could have proved had it appeared in the imperfect state in which it was first designed. Still, however, it affords me the highest gratification, that it is produced under such protection as your Lordship's; and I feel no less delight in being thus permitted to subscribe myself publicly, as I have so frequently done in private,

MY LORD,

Your Lordship's most Obliged,

Obedient, and Faithful Servant,

RICHARD THOMSON.

May 1, 1829.

man to possess accurate ideas, and somewhat more than ordinary information. For this reason it has been excellently recorded and explained, by many of the best Authors in the noble host of English Historians and Commentators; and by Sir Edward Coke, and Sir William Blackstone in particular:-yet their works are often supposed to require a degree of historical, or legal knowledge, which general readers consider that they do not possess; and, therefore, a familiar account and explanation of the principal circumstances and contents of the Charters of Liberties appeared to be still wanting. Such was the origin of the present volume, which was at first intended to be confined to the Magna Charta of King John; but various and unavoidable delays having prevented its progress through the Press, the Editor seized the opportunity of including in it a general view and explanation of the whole series of English Charters, with accounts of the events, principal persons, and historical documents and illustrations, connected with them,