‘Magna Carta’, the Latin for ‘Great Charter’, is the most important document of Medieval England. It was sealed (by Royal seal) between the feudal Barons and King John at Runnymede, in the vicinity of Egham, in 1215. From King John’s point of view Runnymede may have been chosen as a safe location for the sealing of the document as it was close to Windsor Castle, one of his residences, although there are some people who have believed that it might have taken place on Magna Carta Island (which is located in Berkshire in the River Thames across from the water-meadows at Runnymede). The document was a series of written promises between the King and his subjects that he would govern England according to the customs of feudal law. ‘Magna Carta’ was an attempt by the Barons to stop the King and all future Kings from abusing their power and causing suffering to the common people.
Prior to 1215 the Barons had provided the King with money and men to defend territory held by England in France and the King had always consulted them before raising taxes and men for military service. This was part of the Feudal System. However by 1204 King John had lost his land in France and had introduced high taxes without consulting the Barons. This was against Feudal Law and accepted custom. He had also antagonised the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the Pope banning all church services in 1207 and angering the common people who believed that they could only gain entry to Heaven if they belonged to the Catholic Church. In 1209 King John was excommunicated but in 1214 he accepted the authority of the Catholic Church and gave back many privileges to the common people. In the same year the King once again suffered military defeat when he attempted to regain his territory in Northern France. On his return to London he demanded more money from the Barons who, however, refused his demands and rebelled against him. They captured London but did not succeed in defeating him so that in the spring of 1215 both sides agreed to talk.
The result was the drawing up of Magna Carta. The talks took place at Runnymede but the King did not sign the document. He placed his seal at the bottom of the draft form of it called ”Articles of the Barons”, and this was witnessed under Common Law, which made it legally binding.. It was from the clauses in this document that the Chancery produced the document which became known as Magna Carta. It was subsequently revised a number of times and after the third and final amendment in 1225 by King Henry III it was confirmed in 1297 by King Edward I.
On display:
1. Turner, F. Egham, Surrey. A history of the Parish under Church and Crown (Egham: Box
& Gillham, 1926). Photograph of pp. 12-13
Turner’s views about Magna Carta extracted from the copy of his book in the Oliver Collection.
2. Thomson, R. An historical essay on the Magna Charta of King John to which are
added the Great Charter in Latin and English (London: John Major, 1829)
3. Bentley, N. Golden Sovereigns and some of lesser value from Boadicea to Elizabeth ll
(London: Beazley, 1820)
Showing a satirical sketch of King John and Magna Carta
4. Magna Carta Regis Johannis. Copy of the text (in its original mediaeval Latin) of Magna
Carta. n.d.
There is a translation of the text on the reverse of the copy.
5. 750th anniversary, Magna Carta, 15th June 1215-1965. Booklet (London: Pearl
Publications, 1965)
6. Holt, J. C. Magna Carta; illustrated from contemporary sources by H. Schwarz (London:
Longmans, 1961)
7. Urban District of Egham. Annual civic and Magna Carta commemoration service,
conducted by the Reverend N.G.E. Issberner, the Parish Church, Sunday, 13th June 1971.
Printed order of service
8. Staines, "Duncroft", where King John slept before signing Magna Charta. Postcard
(1904)
9. King John signing the Magna Charta. Reproduced from the tableau at Madame Tussaud
& Sons exhibition. Postcard. n.d.
10. Articles of Magna Charta, 1215. [British Library ms. Add. M.S. 4838]. Postcard (n.d.)
11. Runny Mead, or Magna Charta Island, near Egham. Engraving. Coloured engraving.
The caption at the bottom of the engraving reads: “This place is celebrated in history as the spot where the
assembled barons in 1215 obtained from King John the grant of Magna Charta”
12. King John signing Magna Charta and the Charter of the Forests in Runnemede Meadow.
An engraving from Ashburton's History of England published by W & J Stratfords at Holborn Hill in 1769
Joan Wintour
January 2015
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