IIRC, the Magna Carta, established, I think, in 1215, described the rights
of a "happy few", also described by another lister as the Nobility (or part
of the Nobility). In this sense, it does not really describe civil rights as
available to every citizen. It merely describes what later evolved into the
House of Lords.

Of course, it can be very reasonably (IMHO) argued that the Magna Carta
defines and establishes a counter-power to Royalty. As such it marks the end
of absolute (in the sense of unchecked, unmoderated) royal power. And it may
well be construed as the beginning of a vast trend toward the separation of
powers. Of course, the final definition of executive, legislative and
judiciary powers came centuries later, but one had to begin somewhere.

Christian Lheureux
Responsable du Département Systèmes et Réseaux / Head of Systems and
Networks Department
APPIC R.H.
business partner hp invent
Tel : +33-1-69-80-97-22   /   Fax : +33-1-69-80-97-14 / e-mail :
[log in to unmask]
"Le Groupe APPIC recrute, contactez nous !"



> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]]De la
> part de Andrew Russel
> Envoyé : jeudi 13 décembre 2001 14:47
> À : [log in to unmask]
> Objet : [HP3000-L] OT: 210 Years of Civil Rights
>
>
> Joseph wrote...
>
>     No nation prior to this one had dared enumerate
> the rights and privileges of its citizens.
>
>
> Fortunately, he also added...
>
>      Apologies to the non US citizen listers
>
>
> Joseph, have you never heard of the Magna Carta?
> Nearly 800years old!
>
> http://www.magnacarta.demon.co.uk/
>
> Regards Andrew.
>
>
>
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