作为英国宪政史上最早的成文法渊源,《自由大宪章》自1215年签订以来,至今已走过了八百年的历程。此间大宪章的命运可谓沉沉浮浮:大致经历了13世纪的确认定型期、14世纪的修订拓展期、15和16世纪的“寒夜休眠期”[1]以及17世纪后的复兴期。以下我们将从作为当事人一方国王的视角出发,探寻大宪章浮沉命运背后的原因,进而获得有关英国宪政之路的宝贵启示。一、《自由大宪章》的变迁1215年6月15日,约翰王被迫在正式的《自由大宪章》上加盖御玺, As the earliest source of written law in British constitutional history, the Magna Carta since its signing in 1215 has now passed 800 years. Here the fate of the Magna Carta can be described as ups and downs: roughly through the confirmation of the 13th century stereotypes, the 14th century revision of the expansion of the 15th and 16th century “Cold Night Sleep” [1] and the revival of the 17th century . From the perspective of being the king of one of the parties, we will explore the reasons behind the destiny of the Magna Carta and gain valuable enlightenment on the road to British constitutional government. I. THE CHANGE OF THE MAGISTRATION OF FREEDOM On June 15, 1215, King John was forced to stamp the imperial seal on the official Magna Carta,