Sir Edward Coke - 1552-1634
Sir Edward Coke (/kʊk/ CUUK, formerly /kuːk/; 1 February 1552 – 3 September 1634)[1] was an English barrister, judge, and politician. He is often considered the greatest jurist of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.[2]
Born into an upper-class family, Coke was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, before leaving to study at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the Bar on 20 April 1578. As a barrister, he took part in several notable cases, including Slade's Case, before earning enough political favour to be elected to Parliament, where he served first as Solicitor General and then as Speaker of the House of Commons. Following a promotion to Attorney General he led the prosecution in several notable cases, including those against Robert Devereux, Sir Walter Raleigh, and the Gunpowder Plot conspirators. As a reward for his services he was first knighted and then made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
The 1297 Magna Carta
This re-issue of The Great Charter was used by the Jacobites to form the basis of the American Constition and Bill of Rights.
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Background on Edward Coke
Making a search for Edward Coke and his involvement in Magna Carta I found:
Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634) was a prominent English jurist and politician, known for his influential writings and legal decisions that shaped the development of English Common Law. He is often regarded as one of the greatest jurists of his time, advocating for the rule of law and the rights of individuals against the monarchy.
[Wikipedia]
Coke's Interpretation of the Magna Carta
Coke's work, particularly his Institutes of the Lawes of England, emphasized the importance of the Magna Carta as a foundational document that guaranteed the rights and liberties of English subjects. He argued that the protections outlined in the Magna Carta extended to all Englishmen and that due process was essential before depriving anyone of their liberty or property.
[umn.edu]
