Magna Carta, St. Francis' Admonitions, and Summa Theologica

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The Magna Carta, St. Francis’ Admonitions, and Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica are all-important works of the High Middle Ages. These documents explain a great deal to the reader about civilization at that time. This paper will first, demonstrate why the Magna Carta, Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, and St. Francis’ Admonitions are so important. The paper will also summarize the qualities and characteristics of all three documents. The Magna Carta was used to put the barons at ease with the king. The Magna Carta was written in 1215 A.D. (167). At the time, King John of England was having trouble with his unruly barons (167). On the surface, it seems that King John was simply trying to give the people some freedoms. From the document, it can be said that the king had been unjustly taking from whom he ruled. “ Neither we, nor our Bailiffs of ours, will take another man’s wood, for our castles or other uses, unless by the consent of him whom the wood belongs”(169). Obviously, that concession would not have been included had not the king or his men been taking wood without consent. The Magna Carta however, is not important for the exact rules or concessions written in it but for other reasons that lie under the surface. The reasons are: The law is even above the king; and the king can be forcefully compelled to obey the law. The most important part of the Magna Carta is the last concession. Summarized, it states that the free people and their kin have the stated rights and they have them forever. No longer can the king take the rights stated in the Magna Carta from the people and no longer can the king be unaware of the law. St. Francis of Assisi work, Admonitions, is a virtual instruction manual on how to live a Christian life. St. Francis was born into a merchant family and was headed to a secular career. He then experienced a deeply religious vision. He turned away from all worldly things, and began to concentrate on preaching in urban areas. The fact that he began to preach in urban areas and not live a cloistered life of a monk in a monastery is very important in itself. St. Francis took advantage of his lure and charismatic personality to preach to the people. St. Francis and his followers believe that not only do they have to read the Bible or pray but also they must believe in what they are reading and believe in what they praying.

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