ffe's reformation movement and his complete translation of the
Latin Bible, with the rise of the Lollards.
3. The publication of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," the first great
English poem.
4. The deposition of the King, and the transfer of the crown by
Parliament to Henry, Duke of Lancaster.

General Reference Summary of the Angevin, or Plantegenet, Period
(1154-1399)

I. Government. II. Religion. III. Military Affairs. IV. Literature,
Learning, and Art. V. General Industry and Commerce. VI. Mode of
Life, Manners, and Customs.

I. Government

259. Judicial Reforms.

In 1164 Henry II undertook, by a series of statutes called the
Constitutions of Clarendon, to bring the Church under the common law
of the land, but was only temporarily successful. By subsequent
statutes he reorganized the administration of justice, and laid the
foundation of trial by jury.

260. Town Charters.

Under Richard I many towns secured charters giving them the control of
their own affairs in great measure. In this way municipal
self-government arose, and a prosperous and intelligent class of
merchants and artisans grew up who eventually obtained important
political influence in the management of national affairs.

261. Magna Carta, or the Great National Charter.

This pledge, extotrted from King John in 1215, put a check to he
arbitrary power of the sovereign, and guaranteed the rights of all
classes, from the serf and the townsman to the bishop and baron
(S199). It consisted originally of sixty-three articles, founded
mainly on the first royal charter (that of Henry I), given in 1100
(S135).

Magna Carta was not a statement of principles, but a series of
specific remedies for specific abuses, which may be summarized as
follows:

1. The Church to be free from royal interference, especially in the
election of bishops.
2. No taxes except the regular feudal dues (S150) to be levied, except
by the consent of the Great Council, or Parliament.
3. The Court of Common Pleas (see p. 73, not 1) not to follow the
King, but to remain stationary at Westminster. Justice to be neither
sold, denied or delayed. No man to be imprisoned, outlawed, punished,
or otherwissssse molested, save by the judgment of his equals or by
the law of the land. The necessary implements of all freemen, and the
farming tools of villeins, or farm laborers (S113), to be exempt from
seizure.
4. Weights and measures to be kept uniform throughout the realm.