The Magna Carta has long been considered the foundation stone of the British Constitution, yet few people today understand either its contents or its context. This Very Short Introduction introduces the document to a modern audience, explaining its origins in the troubled reign of King John, and tracing the significance of the role that it played thereafter as a totemic symbol of the subject's right to protection against the raw and absolute authority of the sovereign.
Drawing upon the great advances that have been made in the past two decades in our understanding of thirteenth-century English history, Nicholas Vincent demonstrates why the Magna Carta continues to be of enormous popular interest.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199582877
Number of pages: 160
Weight: 120 g
Dimensions: 173 x 117 x 9 mm
Vincent writes smoothly , accessibly, and knowledgeably. He knows that he is essentially retreading old ground for most of the time; but he does it engagingly, and with panache. - Lincolnshire Past and Present, Professor R. N. Swanson
Please sign in to write a review
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
