Letter: Premier's fanfare for anniversary of Magna Carta a bit premature

The PM has blown a fanfare for celebrations of the Magna Carta's 800th anniversary in 2015 as the introduction of the rule of common law. In fact, the document sealed by King John at Runnymede on 15 June 1215, was initially known as the 'Articles of the Barons', and only referred to as the 'Magna Carta' in retrospect from 1217.

This was not the birth of rights for the common man as generally claimed (D.C. et al), but rather a reduction in the monarch's powers and "a tax avoidance scheme" for the barons, as described by the historian Simon Schama in his BBC4 programme 'A History of Britain'.

Its writ lasted for no more than three months, when England was plunged into civil war, with rebel barons attempting to offer the crown to Prince Louis of France. That would have created an interesting situation for today's Eurosceptics.

An amended version of the 'Articles of the Barons' in 1216, and further changes in 1217, resulted in the 'Magna Carta Libertatum', the charter of common liberties. In 1225 King Henry III issued a shorter version of the 'Magna Carta' with 37 clauses, the first version to enter into English law, but it was not until 1237 that it was confirmed and granted in perpetuity.

Thus, 2015 might be an 800th anniversary for Tories, but for the rest of us 2017 might be a suitable kick-off point, although 2025 or even 2037 are probably more beneficial dates for the common person. But over those 800 years, all but three 'Magna Carta' clauses have been repealed.

Only 1, 9 and 29 were still in force after 1969, being the freedom of the English Church; the "ancient liberties" of the City of London (and look where those got us); and a right to due process.

I would be willing to raise a glass to the latter, but only when "our" Government applies it properly to those in dispute with the Treasury, such as Equitable Life victims. Another 800 years anyone?

Malcolm MacIntyre-Read, Much Wenlock