A more thorough explanation:

ANCIENT READINGS

Ancient readings refer to lectures on ancient English statutes that were once considered legally authoritative.

One example of ancient readings is the lecture on the Statute of Westminster II, which was given by Sir Edward Coke in the early 17th century. Another example is the lecture on the Magna Carta, which was given by Sir William Blackstone in the 18th century.

These lectures were important because they helped to establish the legal principles that governed English law for centuries. They were based on the interpretation of ancient statutes and legal documents, and were considered authoritative by judges and lawyers.

For example, Coke's lecture on the Statute of Westminster II helped to establish the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, which is still a fundamental principle of English law today. Blackstone's lecture on the Magna Carta helped to establish the principle of the rule of law, which is also still a fundamental principle of English law.