歷史與神話：800年的傳奇

History and Myth: An 800 Years' Legend

2015年是英國大憲章簽署800週年。大憲章的誕生有著複雜、深刻的歷史背景，它是盎格魯──撒克遜自由民主傳統和諾曼集權傳統相互碰撞、博弈的產物，加之後世（尤其是輝格黨人）的演繹和發揮，終使之從一個國王與其貴族之間的協議，演變為英國人維護自己權益、自由以及憲政體制的旗幟和號角。今天，大憲章的影響力以不限於英國本土，而是擴至世界多地，這部分源於其所經歷的波瀾壯闊的背景和過程，部分在於其所包含的某些具有一般性的原則和精神，部分在於後世對其本身及其所包含之原則的解讀、發揮和實踐。因此，瞭解大憲章的歷史背景和演變歷程，對於理解及意義、價值和影響力非常必要。

2015 marks the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. The background of the birth of Magna Carta is profound and complex, though basically it is the outcome of the collision of the Anglo-Saxon tradition and the Norman tradition. Originally it was just an agreement between King John and his barons, but as time went on, it became the flag and trumpet of the English people in protecting their rights and freedom and keeping their constitution, mainly due to the interpretation and practice of it by following generations, especially the Wigs. Today, nearly all over the world has been influenced by Magna Carta. The strength of Magna Carta originated from the background and process of its birth, from the principles and spirits embodied in it, and from the efforts of following generations as well. Therefore, the knowledge of its background and development is necessary for the understanding of the principles and value of Magna Carta.