Magna Carta Tour to visit seven countries in four months
To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, an original edition from Hereford Cathedral is travelling to seven countries between September – December 2015
Magna Carta is an internationally recognised symbol of democracy and the rule of law. The Hereford Cathedral Magna Carta is one of only 24 believed to be in existence. As part of the tour it will leave the United Kingdom and fly to New York, followed by Luxembourg, China (including Hong Kong), Singapore, Malta and Portugal, where it will be displayed at a number of public venues.
You can follow the progress of the #MagnaCartaTour on Twitter. Rev Canon Chris Pullin of Hereford Cathedral will tweet throughout the Tour on @HFDMagnaCarta.
View the Global Magna Carta 800th Tour in pictures -
Part 1: US, Luxembourg, China, Hong Kong.
Part 2: Singapore, Malta, Portugal
Magna Carta on display in Beijing, October 2015
Magna Carta – an international heritage
Magna Carta has played a key role in the history of democracy around the world and still forms part of British law today. Magna Carta established for the first time the principle that everybody, including the king, was subject to the law. The most famous clauses of Magna Carta declare that no free man shall be imprisoned without trial by his equals or by the law of the land, and that no-one shall be denied justice.
From the Constitution of the United States of America to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, statesmen, lawmakers, revolutionaries and citizens around the world have been inspired by Magna Carta over the last 800 years.
Visit the MagnaCarta800th website to find out more about the history of Magna Carta, and the significance of its 800th anniversary.
The enduring appeal of Magna Carta
Video: Rev Canon Chris Pullin of Hereford Cathedral describes the enduring appeal of Magna Carta.
Hereford Cathedral and Magna Carta
Hereford Cathedral has a special connection to the history of Magna Carta. In 1215, the Bishop of Hereford, Giles de Briouze, was the only bishop to join the other Magna Carta barons in rebellion against King John. Like other great English cathedrals, Hereford subsequently became home to a copy of Magna Carta and an original 1215 Kings Writ. Hereford is also home to the Mappa Mundi, a 13th century map of the world, and a unique medieval chained library, inspiration for the Hogwart’s Restricted Library in the Harry Potter films.
Read more about Hereford and Magna Carta
Magna Carta Partnerships
To mark the anniversary, a new £100,000 fund will facilitate the sharing of practical UK experience to help guide parliamentarians, judges and lawyers overseas along their own path to democracy. Grants will be administered by the FCO’s Human Rights and Democracy Department; more information is available at Magna Carta Partnerships