论1215年《大宪章》之作成、性质与意义

On the Making,Contents and Significance of Magna Carta

作为和平协议的1215年英国《大宪章》,是约翰王与叛乱贵族历经数阶段谈判的结果。约翰王以王印代替亲笔签署,表示了对此谈判结果的不满。观其内容,《大宪章》体现的是封君与封臣间权利义务的重新界定。然而,这一界定并非对既往封建权利与义务的回归。它站在了新的起点上,其中既有对历代王权扩张的承认,也有对王权扩张的遏制,总的精神是"王在法下"。1215年之后,大宪章历经确认与诠释,越数百年而成为英国宪政的根基。其中,依据历史环境的变迁而对大宪章作出符合时代精神的"误读",是其成为英国宪政第一步的重要原因。

As a peacemaking agreement,the Magna Carta of 1215 was the outcome of the negotiation between King John and his barons.John showed his discontent by stamping a Royal seal instead of making his signature.A redefinition of feudal rights and obligations between the lord and his vassals can be seen from the content of Magana Carta.However,this kind of redefinition cannot be regarded as the returning to its origins.It stood on a new starting pointl and the spirit of it was that the kingdom must be ruled by the law of the land.Having been confirmed and interpreted again and again after 1215,Magna Carta came to be the first step of British constitutionalism,for which the misinterpretation of Magca Carta was the main reason.