Friday, September 30, 2005

Coming up on the Magna Carta

My hit counter is fast approaching 1215, which is, of course, the year in which the Magna Carta was signed between King John and the English barons.

TO ALL FREE MEN OF OUR KINGDOM we have also granted, for us and our heirs for ever, all the liberties written out below, to have and to keep for them and their heirs, of us and our heirs:

[...]

If anyone who has borrowed a sum of money from Jews dies before the debt has been repaid, his heir shall pay no interest on the debt for so long as he remains under age, irrespective of whom he holds his lands. If such a debt falls into the hands of the Crown, it will take nothing except the principal sum specified in the bond.

If a man dies owing money to Jews, his wife may have her dower and pay nothing towards the debt from it. If he leaves children that are under age, their needs may also be provided for on a scale appropriate to the size of his holding of lands. The debt is to be paid out of the residue, reserving the service due to his feudal lords. Debts owed to persons other than Jews are to be dealt with similarly.

excerpt from the Magna Carta, dated 1215-06-15
Such a fine tradition for us to live up to. My apologies for not properly celebrating hit #1066. I'll try to do better with those major milestones, especially when we reach number Nineteen Hundred Ninety-Fifteen.