"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. To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or delay right or justice. All merchants may safely and securely go out of England, and come into England, and stay and go through England, as well by land as by water, for buying and selling by the ancient and right customs."

Magna Carta, sealed by King John at Runnymede, 15 June 1215. Issued following a baronial rebellion against the king. Annulled by Pope Innocent III within weeks of its sealing.