What does clause 28 of the Magna Carta mean?

Asked by: Arne Mayert  |  Last update: February 23, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (43 votes)

Clause 28 of the 1215 Magna Carta directly addresses the abuse of power by royal officials regarding the seizure of private property. It states that no constable or bailiff (royal officers) shall take anyone’s corn or other chattels (goods/property) without paying for them immediately, unless the seller voluntarily agrees to a delay in payment.

What is the Clause 28 of the Magna Carta?

No constable or other bailiff of ours is to take anyone's corn or other chattels, unless he pays cash for them immediately, or obtains respite of payment with the consent of the seller.

What does clause 29 of the Magna Carta mean?

(29) No constable may compel a knight to pay money for castle-guard if the knight is willing to undertake the guard in person, or with reasonable excuse to supply some other fit man to do it. A knight taken or sent on military service shall be excused from castle-guard for the period of this service.

What are the three clauses of the Magna Carta?

Only three of the 63 clauses in the Magna Carta are still in law. One defends the freedom and rights of the English Church, another relates to the privileges enjoyed by the City of London and the third - the most famous - is generally held to have etablished the right to trial by jury.

Does the Magna Carta mention God?

Yes, the Magna Carta explicitly mentions God multiple times, beginning with King John's title "by the grace of God" and stating the charter was granted "in the presence of God, and for the health of Our soul, and the souls of Our ancestors and heirs, to the honour of God, and the exaltation of Holy Church". The very first clause guarantees the freedom and rights of the English Church, underscoring its Christian framework.
 

Magna Carta 1225: Clause 28

26 related questions found

Did all 613 laws come from God?

Yes, the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in Judaism are traditionally considered to have been given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, forming the core of the Torah, though the Bible doesn't explicitly state the number 613; Jewish tradition, particularly Maimonides' work, compiled and enumerated them from the texts of the Torah, with the Ten Commandments serving as a summary of these broader laws. The exact list and interpretation vary, with some laws being ceremonial, moral, or judicial, and not all are applicable today. 

What did Einstein say about the Bible?

Albert Einstein viewed the Bible as a collection of "honorable, but still primitive legends" and called the concept of God in theology the product of human weakness, stating he didn't believe in a personal God but rather a Spinozan God revealed in the universe's lawful harmony. He felt scientists are alien to the Bible's literal creation story and that religious faith shouldn't interfere with scientific understanding, seeing religion's domain as distinct from nature's laws.
 

Who owns the Magna Carta?

In December 2007 Rubenstein purchased the last privately owned copy of Magna Carta at Sotheby's auction house in New York for $21.3 million. He has lent it to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. In 2011, Rubenstein gave $13.5 million to the National Archives for a new gallery and visitor center.

What clause in the Magna Carta made it famous?

Of enduring importance to people appealing to the charter over the last 800 years are the famous clauses 39 and 40: “No free man shall be seized, imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, exiled or ruined in any way, nor in any way proceeded against, except by the lawful judgement of his peers and the law of the land.

What does clause 52 of the Magna Carta mean?

Clause 52 of the Magna Carta means King John promised to immediately restore any lands, castles, liberties, or rights he (or his father/brother) had unjustly taken from free men without a lawful judgment by their peers, setting up a process for resolving disputes through the 25 barons if necessary, but granting a delay for cases inherited from his predecessors if he was on crusade. Essentially, it's a crucial clause enforcing immediate justice and property rights, ensuring people weren't arbitrarily dispossessed. 

What does clause 40 of the Magna Carta mean?

Clause 40 states, “To no one will We sell, to no one will We deny or delay right or justice.” King John referred to himself with the royal “We”. Magna Carta turns 805 years old this year. Like many of the world's greatest documents, it lives on today as the cornerstone of our concept of the Rule of Law.

What does clause 35 of the Magna Carta mean?

There is to be one measure of wine throughout our kingdom, and one measure of ale, and one measure of corn, namely the quarter of London, and one breadth of dyed, russet and haberget cloths, that is, two ells within the borders; and let weights be dealt with as with measures.

What does clause 63 of the Magna Carta mean?

Clause 63 of the Magna Carta is the concluding clause, essentially a grand finale, that reaffirms all the liberties granted throughout the charter, stating the English Church is free, all subjects have their rights and concessions forever, and that both King John and the barons have sworn to uphold these promises in good faith, sealed with witnesses at Runnymede. It serves as the ultimate confirmation that the entire charter, with its numerous feudal and legal reforms, is binding and to be observed perpetually. 

What was the impact of clause 28?

In consequence, educational institutions were legally obliged to view homosexuality negatively and with bias under Clause 28. Pupils who experienced prejudice were unable to voice the discrimination that they faced, and little counselling or support was available to families or children.

What does clause 23 of the Magna Carta mean?

23. No vill or person shall be compelled to make bridges at river banks, except those who from of old were legally bound to do so. Taken from this translation here: magnacartaplus.

What is Section 28 of the charter?

Section 28 guarantees that the rights and freedoms referred to in the Charter apply equally to men and women. It does not guarantee equality with respect to other rights not mentioned in the Charter (Organisation mondiale sikhe du Canada, supra at paragraphs 450, 465; R.

Where are the Magna Carta's today?

Two are kept in the British Library (one of which was badly damaged by fire in 1731), one in Salisbury cathedral, and one in Lincoln castle. They were all written out by different people, and while little is known about who those people were, the documents themselves provide a fascinating insight into their labours.

How many clauses of the Magna Carta are still in effect today?

Only three clauses of the Magna Carta remain in force: two apply to institutions, not individuals, and the third has mostly been superseded by other laws. Magna Carta (“Great Charter”) was a royal charter of rights agreed by King John of England at Runnymede, near Windsor, on 15 June 1215.

What is the Magna Carta in simple terms?

The Magna Carta ("Great Charter") is a historic English document from 1215 that first established that everyone, including the king, must obey the law, limiting royal power and protecting certain rights like due process, justice, and property for "free men," forming a foundation for modern democracy and constitutional law.
 

Who destroyed the Magna Carta?

Neither side stood by their commitments, and the charter was annulled by Pope Innocent III, leading to the First Barons' War.

Is Magna Carta based on the Bible?

The Magna Carta's affirmation of the supremacy of law is based on a previous understanding of higher law, i.e. God's law, which all men must obey. This earlier understanding can be seen in the Mosaic covenant of the Hebrew Scriptures.

How much is the Magna Carta worth today?

As for its value today, Prof Vincent said: "I would hesitate to suggest a figure, but the 1297 Magna Carta that sold at auction in New York in 2007 fetched $21m [about £10.5m at the time], so we're talking about a very large sum of money."

Did Einstein believe in Jesus?

Einstein was then asked to what extent Christianity influenced him. "As a child, I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene." Einstein was then asked if he accepted the historicity of Jesus, to which he replied, "Unquestionably!

What was Einstein's IQ?

Albert Einstein never took a formal IQ test, so his score is unknown, but academics estimate it was around 160, placing him in the genius range, though some speculate it could have been higher, potentially 180+ or even 200, based on his groundbreaking achievements, particularly in physics. Any figure cited is an estimation, usually derived from historical data and his incredible contributions, like developing relativity, rather than a measured score.
 

What famous scientist believed in Jesus?

Robert Boyle (1627–1691): Prominent scientist and theologian who argued that the study of science could improve glorification of God. A strong Christian apologist, he is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Chemistry.