Note 516 — MAGNA CARTA. (continued 2)

See M. Paris, Chron. Maj., V. 520. His words are: “Et responsum fuit quod omnes tunc temporis non fuerunt juxta tenorem magnae cartae suae vocati, et ideo sine paribus suis tunc absentibus nullum voluerunt tunc responsum dare.” Matthew, however, probably improved his story in the telling, adding local colour from the only version of the charter known to him—namely, that spurious copy he had incorporated in his own history. He clearly knew nothing of the essential differences between the charters of John and of Henry. The barons in 1255 may, or may not, have been equally ignorant.