[1089]. See supra, 51–2. The text is given in Appendix. Thirteen of the twenty-five executors are mentioned by name as agreeing to this new treaty on behalf of themselves and other earls, barons and freeholders unnamed. Cf. R. Wendover, III. 319 (“et turrem Londonarum”). A third sanction, or form of security, appears in the garbled versions of the Charter given by R. Wendover (III. 317) and M. Paris (II. 603): the constables of the four royal castles of Northampton, Kenilworth, Nottingham and Scarborough, were to swear to hold these strongholds under orders of the twenty-five executors. See M. Paris (Ibid.). This clause has not been found in any known copy of any issue of Magna Carta. Cf. Mr. H. R. Luard’s preface to the second volume of Matthew Paris, pp. xxxiii. to xxxvi., where he discusses the peculiarities of the versions given by Wendover and Paris.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO.
Et omnes malas voluntates, indignaciones, et rancores ortos inter nos et homines nostros, clericos et laicos, a tempore discordie, plene omnibus remisimus et condonavimus. Preterea omnes transgressiones factas occasione ejusdem discordie, a Pascha anno regni nostri sextodecimo usque ad pacem reformatam, plene remisimus omnibus, clericis et laicis, et quantum ad nos pertinet plene condonavimus. Et insuper fecimus eis fieri litteras testimoniales patentes domini Stephani Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, domini Henrici Dublinensis archiepiscopi, et episcoporum predictorum, et magistri Pandulfi, super securitate ista et concessionibus prefatis.
And all the ill-will, hatreds, and bitterness that have arisen between us and our men, clergy and lay, from the date of the quarrel, we have completely remitted and pardoned to everyone. Moreover, all trespasses occasioned by the said quarrel, from Easter in the sixteenth year of our reign till the restoration of peace, we have fully remitted to all, both clergy and laymen, and completely forgiven, as far as pertains to us. And, on this head, we have caused to be made out to them letters patent of Stephen, archbishop of Canterbury, Henry, archbishop of Dublin, the bishops aforesaid, and master Pandulf, as evidences of this clause of security and of the foresaid concessions.
The clauses which follow the forma securitatis are entirely of a formal nature, adding nothing to the substance of Magna Carta. The present chapter, after making a well-meant declaration that bygones should be bygones, and that perfect peace and goodwill should everywhere prevail—a pious aspiration doomed to speedy disillusion—proceeds to authorize the prelates to issue under their seals certified copies of the terms of the Great Charter. Such letters were actually issued, and their terms are preserved in the Red Book of the Exchequer.[[1091]]
[1091]. See folio 234. The text which is reproduced by Bémont, Chartres, p. 35, runs as follows: "Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit, Stephanus Dei gratia Cantuariensis archiepiscopus, tocius Anglie primas et sancte romane ecclesie cardinalis, Henricus, eadem gratia Dublinensis archiepiscopus, Willelmus Londoniensis, Petrus Wintoniensis, Joscelinus, Bathoniensis et Glastoniensis, Hugo Lincolniensis, Walterus Wigorniensis, Willelmus Coventriensis et Benedictus Roffensis, divina miseracione episcopi, et magister Pandulfus domini pape subdiaconus et familiaris, salutem in Domino. Sciatis nos inspexisse cartam quam dominus noster Johannes illustris rex Anglie fecit comitibus, baronibus et liberis hominibus suis Anglie de libertate sancte ecclesie et libertatibus et liberis consuetudinibus suis eisdem ab eo concessis sub hac forma....
. . . . [Here follows the text of John’s Magna Carta]. . . .
Et ne huic forme predicte aliquid possit addi vel ab eadem aliquid possit subtrahi vel minui, huic scripto sigilla nostra apposuimus."