rtatum regni_, (Charter of the
Liberties of the kingdom;) and upon great reason it is so called of
the effect, _quia liberos facit_, (because it makes men free.)
Sometime for the same cause (it is called) _communis libertas_,
(common liberty,) and _le chartre des franchises_, (the charter of
franchises.) ...

"It was for the most part declaratory of the principal grounds of the
fundamental laws of England, and for the residue it is additional to
supply some defects of the common law....

"Also, by the said act of 25 Edward I., (called _Confirmatio
Chartarum_,) it is adjudged in parliament that the Great Charter and
the Charter of the Forest shall be taken as the common law....

"They (Magna Carta and Carta de Foresta) were, for the most part, but
declarations of the ancient common laws of England, to the
observation and keeping whereof, the king was bound and sworn.

"After the making of Magna Charta, and Charta de Foresta, divers
learned men in the laws, that I may use the words of the record, kept
schools of the law in the city of London, and taught such as resorted
to them the laws of the realm, taking their foundation of Magna
Charta and Charta de Foresta.

"And the said two charters have been confirmed, established, and
commanded to be put in execution by thirty-two several acts of
parliament in all.

"This appeareth partly by that which hath been said, for that it hath
so often been confirmed by the wise providence of so many acts of
parliament.

"And albeit judgments in the king's courts are of high regard in law,
and _judicia_ (judgments) are accounted as _jurisdicta_, (the speech
of the law itself,) yet it is provided by act of parliament, that if
any judgment be given contrary to any of the points of the Great
Charter and Charta de Foresta, by the justices, or by any other of
the king's ministers, &c., it shall be undone, and holden for naught.

"And that both the said charters shall be sent under the great seal
to all cathedral churches throughout the realm, there to remain, and
shall be read to the people twice every year.

"The highest and most binding laws are the statutes which are
established by parliament; and by authority of that highest court it
is enacted (only to show their tender care of Magna Carta and Carta
de Foresta) that if any statute be made contrary to the Great
Ch