The Rights of Englishmen is a term that refers to the rights granted English subjects in the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and other foundational documents. This concept was referred to in British settler colonies (such as Australia), including the Thirteen Colonies. Patriots in the latter felt these rights were violated, which subsequently became an original primary justification for the American Revolution. American political thought evolved during the American Revolution to reject the idea that some, if not all, of these rights could be "granted", and were instead natural rights that were inherent and could therefore not be granted or rescinded. This became a cornerstone of classical republicanism.[citation needed]
[edit] Development
The "rights of Englishmen" had been established slowly over centuries of English history. They were certain basic rights that all subjects of the English monarch were understood to be entitled to.
The founders of America began their lives as loyal subjects of the British Crown, having equal rights with residents of England. Centuries of respect gave these rights a special status. They included:
[edit] History
The historical sources of these rights are custom and law. They were confirmed by royal charters and became part of the English common law. The common law consists of the accumulated legal opinions of judges explaining their decisions in specific court cases. These decisions provide guidelines or precedents for the later judgments. The English common law provides the historical foundation of the legal systems of many countries, including the American legal system.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
- (27, We The People The Citizen and the Constitution, 1997)
- Magna Carta, 1215
[edit] External links
