"And it is also called _Charta Libertatum 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 Charter, or the Charter of the Forest, that shall be holden for none; by which words all former statutes made against either of those charters are now repealed; and the nobles and great officers were to be sworn to the observation of Magna Charta and Charta de Foresta.