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Magna Carta: see it in the original parchment it was (copied) on!!



There is a free exhibition "Magna Carta - through the ages" on at the moment until July where you can see three authentic copies, albeit different versions through the times, of the Magna Carta, one from Peterborough 'The black book' , one from Halesowen Abbey which is in scroll form than book, and the last called the "Hart book of Statutes" which contains a copy of Henry III Magna Carta as well as developed legislation from that time.

The Peterborough version "The Black Book"
Its actually correct to call it Magna Carta and not The Magna carta as it's given its name in Latin, a language which has no direct, consistent correlate of the English definite article "the". As a result, the usual academic convention is to refer to the document in English without the article as "Magna Carta" rather than "the Magna Carta'.

Halesowen Magna Carta Scroll, and John next to it. (Not King)
You are warmly greeted at the door with a brochure and a comments form to fill in later, encouraged to go to the video room and watch a very useful 7 minute video, I'm not always a fan of these things but this was actually a good one. Then cross over the hall to see the actual Magna Carta and spot the year typo in the first board (not being niggly promise, but well, I am a sub editor).
Note: This has got to be the most friendly museum/exhibition I've ever been to. People were so welcoming and kind, and so very helpful and informative. Mostly you're left to get on with it, but the people here seem genuinely excited about their exhibition and that comes over in the way they welcome you, the walk around and the many questions you an ask, plus it's free, how can you not go? Go!
the waxy royal seals

The main things I learned and took away with me from this rather simple but sufficient exhibition was the significance of the Magna Carta was created to ensure no-one was above the law, not even the (evil) King (John-of that time, oddly my companion was also called John, coincidence?).
This influenced law making from that time onward, and the point was made in the video that people in power still try to influence for their own agenda, and this is why Magna Carta has incredible importance today, we must still be able to hold all people to account.
Whether our justice system actually works though is another matter.
Exhibiton runs 26th May- 31 July 2005.
At: Society Of Antiquaries of London. Burlington House. Piccadilly. London. Just to the right of the main entrance to the RA in the main courtyard.
www.sal.org.uk/magna-carta
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