British Library

The British Library houses two of the four original surviving 1215 Magna Carta, as well as the key original documents which tell the Magna Carta story in 1215 including: the Articles of the Barons, the unique copy of the list of the barons’ demands which were reflected in Magna Carta; the papal document which declared Magna Carta null and void in August 1215 and a sealed copy of Henry III’s 1225 Magna Carta. The British Library has a permanent Magna Carta room in its Treasures Gallery which is open to visitors for free all year round.

Unification of the four original 1215 Magna Carta

2-4 February 2015

To mark the beginning of the anniversary year, the four surviving original 1215 copies of Magna Carta will be brought together for the first time in history. The unification, which will be held at the British Library in collaboration with Lincoln Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral and supported by the law firm Linklaters, will take place between 2-4 February 2015.

Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy

13 March-1 September 2015

To mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of Magna Carta, the British Library is holding a once-in-a lifetime exhibition that explores the history and resonance of this globally-recognised document. The exhibition is sponsored by Linklaters.

When granted by King John in 1215 Magna Carta was a practical solution to a political crisis, but in the centuries since it has become a potent symbol of liberty and the rule of law. This exhibition takes us on a journey from its medieval origins through to what it has come to mean today. As the national custodian of two original Magna Carta documents from 1215, the British Library will be drawing on its rich historical collections, as well as celebrated international items on loan, to bring to life a story that still has relevance today after 800 years.

Click here for more information and ticket availability.

Throughout 2015

The exhibition will be at the heart of a wider Magna Carta programme at the Library with a series of public events, a conference, a learning programme, and an online legacy for Magna Carta in 2015 and beyond. A large-scale artwork by a leading British artist has been commissioned by the British Library and the Ruskin School of Art at the University of Oxford to accompany the exhibition and will be announced later this year.

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Preparations are underway for some truly memorable commemorations from major international conferences and exhibitions to local events and parties and a Magna Carta tour. To be the first to hear of these, sign up to the newsletter below.