The phrase "general consent" in the context of Clause 14 of the Magna Carta refers to the collective agreement or approval of the people, or their representatives, regarding the imposition of taxes. It implies that taxes should not be levied without the explicit agreement of those who are subject to them, rather than being imposed unilaterally by the King. This establishes the principle of no taxation without representation, indicating that the decision to tax must involve consultation and a majority vote among the representatives of the populace.
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Clause 14: "To obtain the general consent for a tax in Great Britain [England] we will cause the great council, made up of men who represent the people of England to be summoned individually by letter... they will come together on a fixed day and at a fixed place. ...the decision about creating or collecting taxes on that day will be made by a decision reached by vote of majority rule of the representatives of the people... The King shall follow the will of the great council, the King shall not raise or levv taxes on his own accord"
Source:
Magna Carta (1215)
1a) What does the phrase "general consent" in line 1 mean?
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