PREFACE. THE tory HERE is certainly no event in the hisof England of more importance and interest, not only to the English themselves, but to all of the Anglo-Saxon race, than the facts and circumstances, and peculiar historical conditions relating to the granting of the Magna Charta by King John. Surprising as it may seem, it is nevertheless the fact, that there is no other act of similar importance pertaining to any country about which so little has been written and so little is generally known. Sir William Blackstone has said that "there is none that has been transmitted down to us with less accuracy and historical precision." To the average reader the facts relating to the Magna Charta, as well as the Magna Charta itself, are like a sealed book, absolutely unknown. There is no book of refer 3 651391 |