petition of right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "petition of right" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a formal request made to a court for the enforcement of a right. Example: "The lawyer filed a petition of right to challenge the government's decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He helped draft the Petition of Right in 1628.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cf. Petition of Right of 1627, 3 Car.

Cornell University

It contributed to the enactment of the Petition of Right.

Britannica

From this impasse was born the Petition of Right (1628).

Britannica

With Edward Coke and Peter Wentworth, he urged passage of the Petition of Right.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such was the Petition of Right assented to by Charles I., in the beginning of his reign.

The New Yorker

In 1947 a new pattern for remedies against the crown was established, doing away with the petition of right.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A brilliant jurist, Coke codified English law and cornered King Charles I into accepting the Petition of Right.

The New York Times - Books

Coke subsequently drafted The Petition of Right, an updated Magna Carta, which parliament compelled the new king, Charles I, unhappily to accept.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Historians have traditionally considered the passage of the Petition of Right an important moment in the Stuart period.

Wikipedia

The Petition of Right of 1628 was a unique parliamentary act.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical legal documents, ensure you accurately represent the "petition of right's" specific context and impact. For clarity, specify the year (1628) or the relevant monarch (Charles I) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume the "petition of right" is interchangeable with the Bill of Rights. While both are crucial documents in English legal history, the Petition came earlier (1628) and addressed specific grievances against Charles I, whereas the Bill of Rights (1689) established broader limitations on monarchical power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "petition of right" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its use in legal and historical contexts. It identifies a specific type of legal document or concept related to asserting rights against a governing power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

24%

News & Media

47%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "petition of right" is a grammatically sound noun phrase primarily used in legal and historical discussions. Ludwig AI confirms that it refers to a specific legal document (particularly the 1628 English one) or the general act of seeking redress from a government. Its usage is most common in encyclopedias, news media, and academic texts, reflecting a formal and scholarly register. Understanding its historical context, especially in relation to the English monarchy and constitutional law, is crucial for accurate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plea for due process

Specifically refers to seeking fair treatment under the law.

request for redress of grievances

Focuses on correcting injustices and addressing complaints.

appeal for justice

Focuses on the act of seeking fairness through a formal request.

call for constitutional rights

Specifically refers to invoking rights protected by a constitution.

demand for legal remedy

Emphasizes the legal aspect and the desire for a solution.

claim to entitlement

Highlights the aspect of having a justified demand for something.

declaration of inherent rights

Highlights the inherent and inalienable nature of the rights being asserted.

assertion of civil liberties

Focuses on the declaration and defense of fundamental freedoms.

vindication of rights

Highlights the act of proving and defending rights.

insistence on legal safeguards

Emphasizes the necessity of protecting rights through legal mechanisms.

FAQs

How to use "petition of right" in a sentence?

You can use "petition of right" to refer to the 1628 English constitutional document or to a legal process for seeking redress from the Crown. For example, "The "petition of right" limited the king's power to levy taxes without Parliament's consent."

What is the historical significance of the "petition of right"?

The "petition of right" is significant because it challenged the divine right of kings and asserted key civil liberties, such as protection against arbitrary imprisonment and taxation without parliamentary consent. It is considered a cornerstone of English constitutional law.

Which is correct, "petition of right" or "petition of rights"?

"Petition of right" is the standard and historically accurate term. "Petition of rights" is less common and may refer to a more general concept of multiple rights being petitioned for.

What were the main provisions of the "petition of right"?

The main provisions included no taxation without consent of Parliament, no imprisonment without cause shown, no quartering of soldiers on subjects without their consent, and no martial law in peacetime. These provisions aimed to limit the king's arbitrary power.