Last December, we took a two hour drive west of London on the M3 Motorway and ventured into the English countryside on a beautiful but freezing day to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument just outside of Salisbury, a medieval Cathedral city.
Archaeologists believe Stonehenge was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. During President Obama’s official visit to the U.K in 2014, he toured Stonehenge.
We then travelled to nearby Salisbury and visited the historic Salisbury cathedral, one of the U. K’s most iconic medieval buildings. We entered the cathedral through its original 13th-century doors which were built in 1220 and climbed all of its 332 steps to its 404 –foot spire, the tallest in Britain. The cathedral began its life as part of the Catholic Church, but later it became a beacon in the Church of England when Henry VIII split from the Church of Rome in 1534. We explored over 800 years of history of the cathedral. We were moved by its working 14th-century clock and an original copy of the Magna Carta, (Latin for “Great Charter”) a key document from 1215 and one of the most celebrated documents in English history.
The Magna Carta is famous as a symbol of justice, fairness, and human rights has been one of Britain’s most valuable exports. For centuries it has inspired and encouraged movements for freedom and constitutional government in Britain and around the world. But when it was issued by England’s King John in June 1215, it was an attempt to prevent a civil war between the king and his powerful barons in negotiations that were facilitated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Salisbury Cathedral’s copy of Magna Carta is one of four copies which have survived from the original thirteen copies that were hand written.
At several points in British and world history, the Magna Carta’s status as guarantor of rights against an overbearing ruler has proved invaluable. At its inception, it was the solution to a political crisis in Medieval England, but its importance has endured as it has become recognized as a cornerstone of liberty influencing much of the civilized world.
In 1956 the Magna Carta Trust was formed to commemorate the great moment in history at the signing in June 1215. At the Trust’s inaugural meeting, Britain’s then Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Sir Anthony Eden spoke of significance of the new Trust’s aims. He said, ‘The principles of Magna Carta, developed over the centuries by the Common Law, are the heritage now, not only of those who live in these Islands, but in countless millions of all races and creeds throughout the world’.
The Magna Carta has made a long journey through time, spanning the globe by virtue of the principles and values it has helped to inspire. It has transcended barriers of language and the divisions of cultures and ideologies. 800 years on, the rule of law, individual freedom and human rights are foundational principles of modern societies. Conversely, denials of Magna Carta’s core principles have often led to dehumanization, genocide and conflict.
Interestingly, the key note speaker at the Magna Carta Trust 50th Anniversary Dinner in London in 2011 was non–other than the Rt. Hon. Baroness – Patricia Scotland QC. Her remarks included, ‘This gives us an opportunity to mark again the importance of respect for the rule of law, of which Magna Carta is a potent symbol and embodiment, and which is as important today as it was in the 13th century’.
This is why it is puzzling to many Dominican why a lady of such luminary stature would publically say to critics of Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit during a school renaming ceremony in Vielle Case, “Mwen ka di yo, suce sel.” (I am telling them to suck salt). Did she forget the Magna Carta which is often evoked and cited whenever basic freedoms come under threat? Why did she dive into the ‘Ghetto’ of Dominican politics? Was she trying to please Skerrit (who recently told his followers to call the Opposition leadership ‘Traitors’) for his nomination and support to the post of the Commonwealth Secretary General? Some have concluded that the Baroness’ statements last December may indicate that she has little professional consideration and regard for Skerrit and no respect for Dominicans and Dominica. Would she have behaved the same manner in the House of Commons or Lords?
May be the Baroness should be reminded that the granting of Magna Carta marked the road to individual freedom, to Parliamentary democracy and to the supremacy of the law. Maybe on her next visit to Dominica she can conduct a workshop on the Magna Carta to Cabinet or on Skerrit’s next visit to London arrange for him to visit the Salisbury Cathedral. That precedent was set in 1994, by the Prime Minister of India, the late Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao.
PM Roe’s visit to the Magna Carta during his four day official visit to Britain was seen very much as a pilgrimage and a tribute to the historic Magna Carta. It is still viewed in his country as a source of inspiration and an affirmation of the values of Freedom, Democracy and the rule of Law, which the people of India cherish and have enshrined in their constitution.
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The principles and rules of the British Magna Carta seems foreign, or was never written according to what we have in Dominica. In every commonwealth nation, and in United States of America, the laws are all written based on Common Law, and on the principles of the British Magna Carta.
One wonders if our system of law in Dominica is practiced based on Common law, or the principles of the Magna Carta.
Whereas it seems legal for lawyers to make the claim that they will strike preemptively, meaning “strike first” such rhetoric is highly unethical, and intended to violate the human rights of an individual, or groups of individuals. When lawyers are able to prosecute an individual for simply expressing his rights to freedom of speech in Dominica, that is a clear indication that our legal system is not based on common law, nor the principles of the British Magna Carta, which is the foundation of laws throughout the civilized world.
In order for lawyers to strike preemptively…
Cont:
In order for lawyers to strike preemptively the lawyers have to provoke an incident, by entrapping the unsuspecting victim. When a court accepts a case as that against Lennox Linton and prosecuted him based on innuendoes since he mention no individual name in his political comments, that is an indication that we are not practicing common law in Dominica, therefore the principles of the Magna Carta and common law is not adhered to in our country!
The courts in Dominica are highly unfair, unfairness is what caused the peasants, and the poor in England so long ago to revolt, causing the British Magna Carta to be written in the first place.
What exactly is the point of this reporting? Loads of rubbish.
To the lessor and un-educated; nothing they read in that commentary will make sense you know!
Dr Finn was a leader at the Dominica Grammar School and has not forgotten his country. In advanced countries it is common for professionals in various fields to opine on matters of law, civics, education, medicine and give their best to the community. Instead of criticism of Dr Finn we should commend him for a masterful rendition on the importance of the Magna Carta. It was the Baroness of Salt whose low blows administered to Dominicans sullied her character to those on her island of birth. She would have my respect where she held a lecture on the Magna Carta or taught us the value of civility. Instead, at a school opening, she was giving me puts instead of teaching the children how she rose in education. Let us have more such wise articles on our online media and otherwise and shake the hands of the good men and women who seek to show us wise.
I really thought the article was relating the Stonehenge in Salisbury Dominica to the one in Salisbury England
You mean Stonedge right?
Stonehenge is nothing more than a big hoax. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjmY5zak28o
It is proved to have been built around 100 years ago with modern-day cranes.
When will you idiots stop believing everything that is thrown at you?
some people trying their best to make politics a bad word. when in fact politics affect our every movement.
The behaviour of Baroness Scotland was a disgrace to the titles she holds in the UK and commonwealth. A prominent UK based Dominican was livid and on the verge of taking this issue to the Commonwealth Secretariat and beyond. Supporters of the DLP may not consider the seriousness of this and make light of it, but I am sure those of us with objective minds are disappointed. This is not acceptable and all our leaders and public figures need to made accountable for their behaviour no matter what race, creed, colour, religion, or political party. .
Volney’s again.
Where were you all? All of a sudden you all Volneys just resurrect. Were you all sleeping? or just did not care about Dominica and turned a blind eye over what was happening.
Political statement disguised as a commentary. When does this ever end?
@Volney: What is your point?— Could the article be part commentary -part political statement? What sis the hard and fast rule on that? Please educated the masses….If you don’t have anything constructive to say please keep quiet “wise man”.
I went to school with Cyril Volney. At the SMA he was a role model. At his advanced age, he is still a role model and a credit to Dominica. Pope-like, he is infallible in the eyes of many in our beloved country and is not to be censored by even you, Jordon.
Well, the Cyril Volney I know today is a role model for people with a superiority complex only, certainly not for our youth and a more democratic and equitable society. Sorry, but really is my perception of the man.
This is all DNO is good for. It’s like UWP gets free advertising whenever they want. All the “commentary” and news stories that are featured are 75% in favor of the opposition and 25% in favor of any other cause.
Mr. Volney, you sound like a Philistine. The Magna Carta is a mile stone in the development of democracy but perhaps you don’t believe in that. We too have our bill of rights in our Constitution but as the leader himself has stated, not even that constitution will stop him from doing what he wants to. The Magna Carta is as relevant today as it was in the days of yore, perhaps even more so in our little country. History is very important if only to help us stop and repeat the mistakes and offences against humanity made in the past. This requires constant vigilance.
Actually, I agree with everything you said here, except I have no knowledge of what a “Philistine” is.