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Magna Carta, translated by G. R. C. Davis

G. R. C. Davis (translator) · 1963

A readable 1963 English translation of the 1215 Magna Carta made by a modern historian.

This modern translation lets students read the Magna Carta's actual clauses in clear English.

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About this source

What it is

This is a 1963 English translation of the 1215 Magna Carta by the historian G. R. C. Davis. It presents the complete charter that King John issued to his barons.

Why it matters

Magna Carta is one of the most influential documents in English legal history, and this translation made its specific clauses accessible to modern readers nearly 750 years after it was written. Reading the whole text, rather than a summary, lets students see exactly what rights and limits the barons and the king agreed to.

Look closer

  • Why do you think a historian in 1963 thought it was worth producing a fresh translation?
  • Which named people in the opening lines were involved in advising King John, and what does that tell you about power at the time?
  • What questions would you ask about accuracy when comparing a translation to the original Latin?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Magna Carta on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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