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Home / Type of trip / Culture / Magna Carta 800th anniversary

Magna Carta 800th anniversary

February 2, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 20 Comments

Quotation from the Magna Carta.

What is the Magna Carta?

The Magna Carta is a document which was issued in 1215 by King John of England in a bargain with a group of rebellious barons. ‘Magna Carta’ literally means ‘the Great Charter’ and it is one of the most famous documents in the world.

Why is the Magna Carta so famous?

The Magna Carta established the principle that everyone, including the monarch, is subject to the rule of law. It also says that all ‘free men’ have a right to justice and to a fair trial. Some of the Magna Carta’s key principles are reflected in constitutional documents around the world including the United States Bill of Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Magna Carta is seen as an international symbol of freedom and Nelson Mandela even cited it in his trial in 1964.

Magna Carta Memorial, Runnymede. Image courtesy of Andrew Butler NTPL

Magna Carta Memorial, Runnymede. Image courtesy of Andrew Butler NTPL

2015 anniversary

This year marks 800 years since the Magna Carta was sealed on 15th June 1215. The four surviving copies of the 1215 Magna Carta are held by the British Library in London (which has two copies), Lincoln Castle and Salisbury Cathedral. Each of these places is hosting an exhibition to mark the anniversary and there are many other events planned.

Runnymede

Famously King John sealed the Magna Carta at Runnymede, a meadow by the River Thames in southern England. Today Runnymede is an area of peaceful countryside and is owned by the National Trust which means that it’s open to the public to visit. You can take a picnic there and go for a walk. On Monday June 15th, 800 years to the day since the Magna Carta was sealed, there will be a Festival of Liberty in the meadow to celebrate the anniversary. There are several memorials at Runnymede including one to the sealing of the Magna Carta and another to President John F Kennedy.

Runnymede, Surrey. Image courtesy of National Trust & John Millar

Runnymede, Surrey. Image courtesy of National Trust & John Millar

British Library

London’s British Library is hosting a major exhibition called Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy from Friday 13th March until Tuesday September 1st. Besides the library’s copies of the Magna Carta there will be various other unique and important exhibits on display including Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence and an original copy of the Bill of Rights. There will be a children’s free audio guide available to use at the exhibition and there’s no charge for under-16s to go into the exhibition.

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral is hosting a new Magna Carta exhibition which opens on 7th March. (I’m going to Salisbury in April and I hope to visit the exhibition – I’ll report back). The Salisbury copy of the Magna Carta is said to be the best preserved of the four and will take pride of place in the exhibition. There will be interactive exhibits and videos to bring the Magna Carta story to life. From June 15th until September 7th you can follow the Barons Charter Trail around the city of Salisbury. The trail will feature 35 new Baron sculptures painted by local artists which will be auctioned in aid of the Trussell Trust once the trail has finished. Lonely Planet has named Salisbury as one of the top ten cities in the world to visit in 2015.

Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle is currently undergoing a multimillion pound restoration including a purpose-built vault to house and display its copy of the Magna Carta. Lincoln Castle will reopen on April 1st. There’s limited information available at the moment about family-friendly activities at the castle but keep an eye on the Lincoln Castle website for news as the opening date approaches.

LiberTeas

Parliament is encouraging UK communities to have afternoon tea on Sunday 14th June (the day before the sealing of the Magna Carta) to celebrate the freedom and rights which we enjoy. The event is called LiberTeas and is sure to involve cake and talking. I’m in.

To find out more about the Magna Carta anniversary go to magnacarta800th.com

Have you ever seen a copy of the Magna Carta? Would you like to go to one of these exhibitions? What do your children know about the Magna Carta?

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Related

Categories: Culture, Elsewhere
Tags: British Library, Lincoln Castle, Magna Carta, Salisbury Cathedral

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Kara says

    February 7, 2015 at 3:22 pm

    We are plannng a huge celebration at our school for this as all our local roads are named after The Magna Carta – so much work to do
    Kara recently posted…Splash About Limited Edition Shark Print Design Happy NappyMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Sarah Ebner says

    February 6, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    I’ve been hoping to go to Lincoln for some years and am even more tempted this year thanks to the magna carta connection. Great stuff!

    Reply
  3. Laura says

    February 6, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    It’s amazing to think that our history stretches back that far and beyond.
    Laura recently posted…‘Operation Springtime’: putting some Spring (style) into our stepMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Clare Nicholas says

    February 5, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    A very interesting post.
    Not somewhere I’ve visited before but I would like to.
    Clare Nicholas recently posted…To Emmy on your 5th birthdayMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Sonya. Cisco says

    February 5, 2015 at 8:20 am

    Ooh I saw something about this on the news yesterday, such a fascinating and important document. We live near enough to Salisbury to make that our most easy one to visit!
    Sonya. Cisco recently posted…Oh You Pretty Things – BooksMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Emma | The Mini Mes and Me says

    February 5, 2015 at 1:10 am

    These sound like some great things to do in half term. I’ve never seen the Magna Carta before x

    Reply
  7. agatapokutycka says

    February 4, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    Thank you. This is very interesting as I had totally no idea what Magna Carta is / was.
    agatapokutycka recently posted…Pet Health Diary – Monthly Check-UpMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Otilia says

    February 4, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    Wow 800 years. I need to tell my girls about this and its history.
    Otilia recently posted…Popeye Village with KidsMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    February 4, 2015 at 10:06 am

    A really interesting post xxx

    Reply
  10. Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says

    February 3, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    Very interesting post! I love history so it’s always a pleasure to read something about it 🙂
    Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade recently posted…Immune booster: Carrot, apple, ginger & orange (Sok na poprawę odporności).My Profile

    Reply
  11. Louise Edwards says

    February 3, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    We don’t live far from Lincoln castle so I will have to keep an eye out for what is happening there. I visited Salisbury Cathedral a few years ago so may have seen that part then. Good to see what is happening xx
    Louise Edwards recently posted…First signs of Spring #snowdrops @hodsockpriory #thegalleryMy Profile

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  12. Shell Louise says

    February 3, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    I live in Lincoln and will be keeping an eye on the website 🙂 I also like the sound of afternoon tea!
    Shell Louise recently posted…Somerset apple cakeMy Profile

    Reply
  13. My Family Ties says

    February 3, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    We have never taken our children to see the Magna Carta but really must go as it is so historic and very interesting to learn about.
    My Family Ties recently posted…Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For Her – My Family TiesMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Cherished By Me says

    February 3, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    What an amazing piece of history to see, I am sure I have seen it at the British Museum but maybe I am wrong.
    Cherished By Me recently posted…Chocolate BrowniesMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Globalmouse says

    February 3, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    Right, adding “seeing the Magna Carta” onto my list of things to do this year! I really want to get to Runnymede too…I need to get planning! Great post.
    Globalmouse recently posted…A day out at Folly Farm, Pembrokeshire ( A winter visit)My Profile

    Reply
  16. Sharmeen says

    February 3, 2015 at 10:49 am

    Might have to make a visit to the British Library with the kids!
    Sharmeen recently posted…Lazeez — Lebanese TapasMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says

    February 3, 2015 at 10:45 am

    We are going to take the boys to Runnymede when we next go down south. We went to see the version at the British Museum the last time we visited.
    Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…A is for Apple Muffins, cooking with KidsMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows says

    February 3, 2015 at 10:24 am

    I love anything to do with history, so this was really interesting!
    Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows recently posted…Painting on FoilMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Shobha says

    February 2, 2015 at 9:43 am

    When my brother was here, we went on a Magna Carta hunt around Britain. In the end, we only got to see the British Museum one because Salisbury Cathedral was closed when we got there. The train delays on the way to Lincoln and then we gave up and returned to London. I guess we are history geeks who got sidetracked by cute little coffee shops 🙂
    Shobha recently posted…The Unexpected Benefits of Blogging: Extraordinary People and PlacesMy Profile

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    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 2, 2015 at 8:31 pm

      Well done for managing to see two of the copies – I’ve not seen any yet!

      Reply

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