Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Assize of Arms of 1181" in English language version.
There was no ancient political or legal precedent for the right to arms. The Ancient Constitution did not include it; it was neither in Magna Charta 1215 nor in the Petition of Right 1628. No early English government would have considered giving the individual such a right. Through the old militia laws —Henry II's Assize of Arms (1181) and Edward I's Statute of Winchester (1285)— early governments had imposed a responsibility on subjects, according to their income, to be prepared
There was no ancient political or legal precedent for the right to arms. The Ancient Constitution did not include it; it was neither in Magna Charta 1215 nor in the Petition of Right 1628. No early English government would have considered giving the individual such a right. Through the old militia laws —Henry II's Assize of Arms (1181) and Edward I's Statute of Winchester (1285)— early governments had imposed a responsibility on subjects, according to their income, to be prepared