Tag Archives: Magna Carta

Greenland for the Taking?

Recently, some American politicians have resurrected a policy from the past: colonialism: that is, nations annexing other less powerful nations. An idea was floated suggesting America might annex Greenland, and perhaps even Canada. Needless to say, neither Greenland nor Canada was amused. In fact, a few Canadians are now suggesting joining the European Union, perhaps less enthused about North American alliances.

Why this reversion to days when countries grabbed territory without permission from the inhabitants? Countries expended wealth and even worse, the lives of citizens, theirs and those of the other country, in decisions by often unelected officials to expand territory.

No sooner did Columbus and other explorers discover the New World, as well as rediscovering Asian nations, than European leaders began thinking of the new territories as theirs to exploit as they wished.

The concept of self rule by all citizens was just beginning to be discussed by a few. At the time, customs accepted throughout history were generally retained. In the past, strong leaders often led armies to take over weaker neighbors—sometimes for slaves, sometimes for products the other country produced, sometimes for strategic geographic advantage.

However, as the Middle Ages waned, a few thinkers began exploring something new: the idea of more citizens having input into leadership. In the beginning, this new concept didn’t include everyone but only an elite—only owners of land, perhaps, or only descendants of kings and nobles. One of the earliest was England’s Magna Carta in 1215, in which the king signed a document stating that the English king was subject to the rule of law.

These new forms of governance were far from our idea of democracy. Often left out were those without white skin or European origin. But even if they were imperfect, they expanded the control of many ordinary people over their lives.

Eventually, after two world wars, ideas like self rule for others outside Europe and North America gained traction, even if never perfectly carried out. The United States led in many of these movements.

Now, however, some Americans seem to be questioning self rule for all nations. Do we want to return to the days of nations battling nations with no regard for what the people caught in between might wish for their future?

The True Story Behind Those Tales of Robin Hood and Tyrant King John

A popular movie in my childhood enthralled audiences with tales of Robin Hood and his battles against the tyrant King John of England and his minions. Robin’s particular target was the evil sheriff of Nottingham. Robin stole wealth from corrupted officials, including the sheriff, to give to the poor. The history may have been hazy, but King John was real, a true despot.

To facilitate better hunting, John destroyed ditches and hedges in the royal forests, even though destroying them meant animal predators could more easily harm the crops of the common people. He appointed officials who used their offices for increasing their wealth rather than governing justly (re the sheriff of Nottingham). Those nobles who disagreed with John’s system risked having their families taken as hostages and tortured or killed.

A group of English nobles united to seek reform and better safeguard the rights of all English people. Clergy and commoners sided with the nobles. (Including, no doubt, Robin Hood, whoever he really was.) John was outnumbered.

Eight hundred years ago this month (June 15, 1215), King John met with the nobles in a meadow called Runnymede, near Windsor Castle, and signed what is called the Magna Carta. By signing the charter, John agreed to remedy many of the abuses.

One of the provisions stated: “No freeman shall be arrested and imprisoned, or dispossessed, or outlawed, or banished, or in any way molested . . . unless by the lawful judgement of his peers and by the law of the land.”

Much remained to be done before true equality of all English citizens was a fact. Yet, it was a beginning. The thread sewn that day wound down to our own Constitution and the belief that all, including the wealthy and the privileged, are subject to the law.