The four original surviving copies of the Magna Carta being prepared for display at the British Library in London. Photos: Clare Kendall/British Library/PA WireThe four original surviving copies of the Magna Carta have been brought together under the same roof for the first time.
The document – one of the first steps in the journey towards parliamentary democracy – are on show at The British Library in central London as part of its 800th anniversary.
More than 40,000 people entered a public ballot for the chance to see them with 1,215 winning the opportunity to visit the display.
The documents will be at the library for three days before they are taken to the House of Lords for another day, before two are returned to the library and the others go back to their homes at Lincoln and Salisbury cathedrals.
In a joint statement, the library and the cathedrals said: “King John could surely never have anticipated the enduring global legacy of Magna Carta when he agreed to its terms in 1215.
“Eight hundred years later, the international interest and excitement about this unification event is testament to the extraordinary significance and symbolic power of these four manuscripts.
“We are thrilled to be staging this moment in history together, as partners, at the start of the 800th anniversary year. For each of our institutions, this unique event marks the beginning of our own celebrations in 2015.
“The British Library, Lincoln Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral will all be staging exhibitions and events later this year to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of this iconic document.”
King John (1166-1216) refused to sign the Magna Carta when first presented to him in 1215.The 1215 document explained
• What is Magna Carta?
Magna Carta is an 800-year-old document containing the idea that no one is above the law, and it still forms the foundation of many modern ideas and documents today.
• When and where was Magna Carta granted?
Magna Carta was first drawn up in 1215, granted by King John on June 15 at Runnymede near the River Thames in Surrey. A different version was reissued by John’s son, Henry III, 10 years later in 1225. Magna Carta was finally enrolled on the statute book (meaning it became part of English law) by Edward I in 1297.
• Why was Magna Carta first written and granted?
Despite what it stands for today, Magna Carta was not written with lofty ideas of justice and liberty in mind. It was originally meant as a peace treaty between King John (of Robin Hood fame) and his barons, with whom he was at war.
The barons had captured London and John found himself in a political mess – he needed a quick get-out solution.
Full-scale civil war then broke out between John and his barons. It only ended after John’s death from illness in 1216.