User:The C of E/mf

"Magna Farta" was an oft-quoted statement during the Commonwealth of England. It was coined by Lord Protector of England Oliver Cromwell as a way to belittle the Magna Carta. The quote was cited as how Cromwell felt about it.

Usage
Chief Justice Sir Edward Coke claimed the Magna Carta prohibited the King from trying cases as judge himself. Cromwell was dismissive of this argument saying "I care not for the Magna Farta".

The merchant George Cony was arrested for challenging Cromwell over a silk tax that was imposed without going through Parliament in 1655. Sir John Maynard representing Cony cited article 39 of the Magna Carta which stated no man could be imprisoned without trial. Cromwell met with the judges and declared that the "Magna Farta" should not control his actions if he deemed them needed to safeguard the Commonwealth and threatened them by citing they only enjoyed their positions because of him. Cromwell later described the petition of right as "the petition of shite".