Chance to discover Magna Carta’s Greenwich connections

by WO Admin | Greenwich

On Sunday (June 14) it will be exactly 800 years since one of the world’s most important documents was signed.

The Magna Carta was signed with the seal of King John on the banks of the River Thames at Runneymede near Windsor, witnessed by 25 barons.

They included Geoffrey de Saye, then the Lord of West Greenwich.

This local connection has given the royal borough a unique opportunity to mark the anniversary The Magna Carta, which means ‘Great Charter’, set out in law a list of rights, and King John agreed to abide by them.

They included a declaration that all ‘free men’ had the right to justice and a fair trial – a founding principle of English law that is still in force today.

The document also formed the cornerstone of the idea of liberty and law, both in England and across the world.

It inspired the US Declaration of Independence, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A copy of the original Magna Carta will be on show this week at the Greenwich Heritage Centre in Artillery Square, Woolwich.

And on Saturday from 12.30pm the Big Screen in General Gordon Square, Woolwich, will show a programme from the British Library all about the Magna Carta.

This will be followed at 1pm by Robin Hood – a version of the story about the legendary outlaw who fought the injustices caused by King John.

Cllr Miranda Williams, the council’s cabinet member for culture and creative industries, said: “It is great to see so many local events being put on to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta – an event of international, national and local significance. I would encourage everyone to get involved in the celebrations. There’s something for everyone, providing a fun way to learn about how the Magna Carta came into being and how it paved the way for democracy today as we know it.”

The Magna Carta:
(New and best Edition)