历史与神话:800年的传奇

History and Myth:An 800 Years' Legend

2015年是英国大宪章签署800周年。大宪章的诞生有着复杂、深刻的历史背景,它是盎格鲁-撒克逊自由民主传统和诺曼集权传统相互碰撞、博弈的产物,加之后世(尤其是辉格党人)的演绎和发挥,终使之从一个国王与其贵族之间的协议,演变为英国人维护自己权利、自由以及宪政体制的旗帜和号角。今天,大宪章的影响力已不限于英国本土,而是扩至世界多地,这部分源于其所经历的波澜壮阔的背景和过程,部分在于其所包含的某些具有一般性的原则和精神,部分在于后世对其本身及其所包含之原则的解读、发挥和实践。因此,了解大宪章的历史背景和演变历程,对于理解其意义、价值和影响力非常必要。

2015 marks the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta is profound and complex, though basically it is the tradition and the Norman tradition. Originally it was just Carta. The background of the birth of Magna outcome of the collision of the Anglo Saxon an agreement between King John and his bar- ons, but as time went on, it became the flag and trumpet of the English people in protecting their rights and freedom and keeping their constitution, mainly due to the interpretation and practice of it by follow ing generations, especially the Whigs. Today, nearly all over the world has been influenced by Magna Carta. The strength of Magna Carta originated from the background and process of its birth, from the principles and spirits embodied in it, and from the efforts of following generations as well. Therefore, the knowledge of its background and development is necessary for the understanding of the principles and value of Magna Carta.