Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy - Tapa dura

"The curators, Claire Breay and her team at the Library, are to be congratulated on organizing an exhibition which both captures the power of the Charter over the centuries and draws attention to its capacity to inspire myth."--Nigel Saul "Times Literary Supplement "

When it was granted by King John in 1215, Magna Carta was a practical solution to a political crisis. In the centuries since, it has become a potent symbol of liberty and the rule of law. This catalogue accompanies a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition at the British Library commemorating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. It takes us on a journey from the charter's medieval origins through to what it means to people around the world today. Drawing on the rich historical collections of the British Library - including two original copies of Magna Carta from 1215 - the catalogue brings to life the history and contemporary resonance of this globally important document. It features treasured artefacts inspired by the rich legacy of Magna Carta, including Thomas Jefferson's handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence and an original copy of the Bill of Rights.