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Tim Tatton-Brown continues our commemoration of all things Magna Carta with a visit to the British Library’s latest exhibition, and a review of the splendid catalogue that accompanies it.

You must see the magnificent British Library exhibition, ‘Magna Carta: Law, Liberty and Legacy’ (open until 1 September 2015). It seems to cover almost everything to do with Magna

Carta and its evolution to the modern era, including such surprising items as the gnarled teeth of King John, together with a major collection of well-displayed documents.

together with a major collection of well-displayed documents.

ccompanying the exhibition is a wonderful and very full exhibition catalogue, edited by Claire Breay and Julian Harrison (for

, see the ‘Further Information’ box

Accompanying the exhibition is a wonderful and very full exhibition catalogue, edited by Claire Breay and Julian Harrison (for details, see the ‘Further Information’ box on p.40). As with the exhibition, the catalogue focuses on a wide-ranging collection of documents, from the early 11th-century ‘Laws of King Cnut’ to a Chris Riddell ‘Coalition Blueprint’ cartoon in the Observer of 23 May 2010.

). As with the exhibition, the catalogue focuses on a wide-ranging from the century ‘Laws of King Cnut’ to a Chris Riddell ‘Coalition Blueprint’

of 23 May 2010.

ach section of the catalogue is introduced by short essays written by the leading scholars of Magna Carta, Professors Nicholas Vincent and David Carpenter, and, for the later history, by other scholars

Each section of the catalogue is introduced by short essays written by the leading scholars of Magna Carta, Professors Nicholas Vincent and David Carpenter, and, for the later history, by other scholars (such as Professor Justin Champion)

BELOW One of the bestpreserved impressions of the Great Seal of King John, held by Eton College. It was affixed to a charter issued in 1203 in Rouen, but a similar impression would have been attached to every copy of Magna Carta.

RIGHT King John is also present at the exhibition – represented by his thumb bone, and two of his teeth. These were taken from his coffin by souvenir-hunters when it was briefly opened in 1797 (see p.40), and today are usually housed by Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum and Worcester Cathedral.

who show how Magna Carta led on to the who show how Magna Carta led on to the

Bill of Rights (1689) and the United States

Bill of Rights (1689) and the United States

Declaration of Independence (1776).

Declaration of Independence (1776).

For the latter, the exhibition displays Thomas Jefferson’s autographed copy of the Declaration of Independence

For the latter, the exhibition displays Thomas Jefferson’s autographed copy of the Declaration of Independence

(borrowed from the New York Public Library). ‘Magna Carta in the Modern Age’ is by Joshua Rozenberg, the former BBC legal correspondent, and even includes the ‘Ladybird’ book and Magna Carta 1066 and All That For me, as the former Director of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, it is a pleasure

(borrowed from the New York Public Library). The final essay on ‘Magna Carta in the Modern Age’ is by Joshua Rozenberg, the former BBC legal correspondent, and even includes the ‘Ladybird’ book King John and Magna Carta (1969) and the classic 1066 and All That (1930). For me, as the former Director of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, it is a pleasure current archaeology | www.archaeology.co.uk 38

January 2014 | July 2015 |