Latest news with #constitutionalhistory
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Harvard thought it had cheap copy of the Magna Carta – it turned out to be extremely rare
Harvard University for decades assumed it had a cheap copy of the Magna Carta in its collection, a stained and faded document it had bought for less than US$30. But two researchers have concluded it has something much more valuable – a rare version from 1300 issued by England's King Edward I. The original Magna Carta established in 1215 the principle that the king is subject to law, and it has formed the basis of constitutions globally. There are four copies of the original and, until now, there were believed to be only six copies of the 1300 version. 'My reaction was one of amazement and, in a way, awe that I should have managed to find a previously unknown Magna Carta,' said David Carpenter, a professor of medieval history at King's College London. He was searching the Harvard Law School Library website in December 2023 when he found the digitised document. 'First, I'd found one of the most rare documents and most significant documents in world constitutional history,' Carpenter said. 'But secondly, of course, it was astonishment that Harvard had been sitting on it for all these years without realising what it was.' Carpenter teamed up with Nicholas Vincent, a professor of medieval history at Britain's University of East Anglia, to confirm the authenticity of Harvard's document.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Cheap $27 ‘copy' of historic Magna Carta is revealed to be an ORIGINAL worth 78,000x more
A CHEAP copy of the monumental Magna Carta bought by Harvard University for $27 is actually an original worth a whopping $21million (£16million). The jaw-dropping revelation came after two researchers analysed the "print" - but realised it was in fact a rare version of the document issued by Edward I. 8 8 8 The original Magna Carta established in 1215 famously stated that the King is subject to law. The landmark charter, intended to make peace between King John and rebel barons in the 13th century, has formed the basis of constitutions globally. Until now, it was believed that there were only four copies of the 1215 original and just six copies of the 1300 version. But the groundbreaking discovery has now changed that fact - bringing the total amount of 1300 copies to seven. Professor of medieval history at King's College London David Carpenter said his reaction was one of "amazement, and in a way, awe". He had been searching the Harvard Law School Library website in December 2023 when he found the digitised document. The researcher said: "First, I'd found one of the most rare documents and most significant documents in world constitutional history. 'But secondly, of course, it was astonishment that Harvard had been sitting on it for all these years without realizing what it was.' Carpenter then teamed up with Nicholas Vincent, a professor of medieval history at the University of East Anglia to analyse and confirm the document's origin. Comparing it wit six other authentic copies from 1300, they made the shocking discovery that the dimensions matched up. Moment elderly Just Stop Oil eco-zealots use hammer & chisel to smash glass around Magna Carta The pair then turned to images Harvard librarians created using ultraviolet light and spectral imaging. This technology helps to highlight details on faded documents which are not perceivable to the naked eye. With these images, they compared the text word-for-word and handwriting which included a large capital "E" at the start of "Edwardus". Although the first version 1250 was annulled, the charter was reissued in 1300 by Edward I. It promised protection of church rights, limits on taxes and access to impartial justice. Four of its clauses, including the guarantee of fair legal process, have survived and are still enshrined in law to this day. 8 8 8 Carpenter said the 1300 edition of Magna Carta was "different from the previous versions in a whole series of small ways and the changes are found in every single one". Harvard needed a copy that could prove authenticity, and Carpenter said they passed this test 'with flying colours'. The tattered and faded copy is now worth millions of dollars - a 1297 version of the Magna Carta sold at auction for $21.3million in 2007. But Harvard have no plans to sell it now. The mysterious journey it took to end up in the hands of the university was uncovered mainly by Vincent, who traced it back to the former parliamentary borough of Appleby in Westmorland, England. The Harvard Law School library purchased the "copy" in 1946 from a London-based book dealer for a mere $27.50. It was wrongly dated as a 1327 version when it was bought. What is the Magna Carta? by Harvey Geh The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a landmark English document that limited the king's power and established the principle that everyone, including the monarch, is subject to the law. It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself. The first version of Magna Carta was issued in 1215 at Runnymede - a field by the River Thames between Windsor and Staines, during a political crisis and uprising against the king. Sealed charters granting rights were issued by lords and kings, but this one was unique because it came from a rebellion by England's leading nobles. Magna Carta means Great Charter in Latin. The document contained a total of 63 different clauses, setting out rules concerning land ownership, taxes and legal rights. The researcher then determined the document was sent to an auction house in 1945 via a World War pilot. War hero Forester Maynard inherited the archives from Thomas and John Clarkson - leading campaigners against the slave trade. Thomas Clarkson had become friends with William Lowther, hereditary lord of the manor of Appleby. Vincent speculates the lord gave the document to Clarkson. The researcher said there was "a chain of connection there, as it were, a smoking gun" but there lacked clear proof that it was the Appleby Magna Carta. "But it seems to me very likely that it is," he said. Vincent still wants to find a letter or other documentation confirming the Magna Carta was given to Thomas Clarkson. The two researchers will visit Harvard in June to see its Magna Carta firsthand. 8 8
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Harvard thought it had a cheap copy of the Magna Carta. It turned out to be extremely rare
Harvard University for decades assumed it had a cheap copy of the Magna Carta in its collection, a stained and faded document it had purchased for less than $30. But two researchers have concluded it has something much more valuable – a rare version from 1300 issued by Britain's King Edward I. The original Magna Carta established in 1215 the principle that the king is subject to law, and it has formed the basis of constitutions globally. There are four copies of the original and, until now, there were believed to be only six copies of the 1300 version. 'My reaction was one of amazement and, in a way, awe that I should have managed to find a previously unknown Magna Carta,' said David Carpenter, a professor of medieval history at King's College London. He was searching the Harvard Law School Library website in December 2023 when he found the digitized document. 'First, I'd found one of the most rare documents and most significant documents in world constitutional history,' Carpenter said. 'But secondly, of course, it was astonishment that Harvard had been sitting on it for all these years without realizing what it was.' Carpenter teamed up with Nicholas Vincent, a professor of medieval history at Britain's University of East Anglia, to confirm the authenticity of Harvard's document. Comparing it to the other six copies from 1300, Carpenter found the dimensions matched up. He and Vincent then turned to images Harvard librarians created using ultraviolet light and spectral imaging. The technology helps scholars see details on faded documents that are not visible to the human eye. That allowed them to compare the texts word-for-word, as well as the handwriting, which include a large capital `E' at the start in `Edwardus' and elongated letters in the first line. After the 1215 original printed by King John, five other editions were written in the following decades – until 1300, the last time the full document was set out and authorized by the king's seal. The 1300 version of Magna Carta is 'different from the previous versions in a whole series of small ways and the changes are found in every single one,' Carpenter said. Harvard had to meet a high bar to prove authenticity, Carpenter said, and it did so 'with flying colors.' Its tattered and faded copy of the Magna Carta is worth millions of dollars, Carpenter estimated – though Harvard has no plans to sell it. A 1297 version of the Magna Carta sold at auction in 2007 for $21.3-million. The other mystery behind the document was the journey it took to Harvard. That task was left to Vincent, who was able to trace it all the way back to the former parliamentary borough of Appleby in Westmorland, England. The Harvard Law School library purchased its copy in 1946 from a London book dealer for $27.50. At the time, it was wrongly dated as being made in 1327. Vincent determined the document was sent to a British auction house in 1945 by a World War I flying ace who also played a role defending Malta in World War II. The war hero, Forster Maynard, inherited the archives from Thomas and John Clarkson, who were leading campaigners against the slave trade. One of them, Thomas Clarkson, became friends with William Lowther, hereditary lord of the manor of Appleby, and he possibly gave it to Clarkson. 'There's a chain of connection there, as it were, a smoking gun, but there isn't any clear proof as yet that this is the Appleby Magna Carta. But it seems to me very likely that it is,' Vincent said. He said he would like to find a letter or other documentation showing the Magna Carta was given to Thomas Clarkson. Vincent and Carpenter plan to visit Harvard in June to see its Magna Carta firsthand – and they say the document is as relevant as ever at a time when Harvard is clashing with the Trump administration over how much authority the federal government should have over its leadership, admissions and activism on campus. 'It turns up at Harvard at precisely the moment where Harvard is under attack as a private institution by a state authority that seems to want to tell Harvard what to do,' Vincent said. It also is a chance for a new generation to learn about the Magna Carta, which played a part in the founding of the United States – from the Declaration of Independence to the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Seventeen states have incorporated aspects of it into their laws. 'We think of law libraries as places where people can come and understand the underpinnings of democracy,' said Amanda Watson, the assistant dean for library and information services at Harvard Law School. 'To think that Magna Carta could inspire new generations of people to think about individual liberty and what that means and what self-governance means is very exciting.'
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Science
- CTV News
Harvard thought it had a cheap copy of the Magna Carta. It turned out to be extremely rare
This photo provided by Harvard Law School shows a rare copy of the Magna Carta from 1300 sits in a display case on April 15, 2025, at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass. (Lorin Granger/Harvard Law School via AP) BOSTON — Harvard University for decades assumed it had a cheap copy of the Magna Carta in its collection, a stained and faded document it had purchased for less than US$30. But two researchers have concluded it has something much more valuable — a rare version from 1300 issued by Britain's King Edward I. The original Magna Carta established in 1215 the principle that the king is subject to law, and it has formed the basis of constitutions globally. There are four copies of the original and, until now, there were believed to be only six copies of the 1300 version. 'My reaction was one of amazement and, in a way, awe that I should have managed to find a previously unknown Magna Carta,' said David Carpenter, a professor of medieval history at King's College London. He was searching the Harvard Law School Library website in December 2023 when he found the digitized document. 'First, I'd found one of the most rare documents and most significant documents in world constitutional history,' Carpenter said. 'But secondly, of course, it was astonishment that Harvard had been sitting on it for all these years without realizing what it was.' Confirming the document's authenticity Carpenter teamed up with Nicholas Vincent, a professor of medieval history at Britain's University of East Anglia, to confirm the authenticity of Harvard's document. Comparing it to the other six copies from 1300, Carpenter found the dimensions matched up. He and Vincent then turned to images Harvard librarians created using ultraviolet light and spectral imaging. The technology helps scholars see details on faded documents that are not visible to the human eye. That allowed them to compare the texts word-for-word, as well as the handwriting, which include a large capital 'E' at the start in 'Edwardus' and elongated letters in the first line. After the 1215 original printed by King John, five other editions were written in the following decades — until 1300, the last time the full document was set out and authorized by the king's seal. The 1300 version of Magna Carta is 'different from the previous versions in a whole series of small ways and the changes are found in every single one,' Carpenter said. Harvard had to meet a high bar to prove authenticity, Carpenter said, and it did so 'with flying colors.' Its tattered and faded copy of the Magna Carta is worth millions of dollars, Carpenter estimated — though Harvard has no plans to sell it. A 1297 version of the Magna Carta sold at auction in 2007 for $21.3 million. A document with a colourful history The other mystery behind the document was the journey it took to Harvard. That task was left to Vincent, who was able to trace it all the way back to the former parliamentary borough of Appleby in Westmorland, England. The Harvard Law School library purchased its copy in 1946 from a London book dealer for $27.50. At the time, it was wrongly dated as being made in 1327. Vincent determined the document was sent to a British auction house in 1945 by a World War I flying ace who also played a role defending Malta in World War II. The war hero, Forster Maynard, inherited the archives from Thomas and John Clarkson, who were leading campaigners against the slave trade. One of them, Thomas Clarkson, became friends with William Lowther, hereditary lord of the manor of Appleby, and he possibly gave it to Clarkson. 'There's a chain of connection there, as it were, a smoking gun, but there isn't any clear proof as yet that this is the Appleby Magna Carta. But it seems to me very likely that it is,' Vincent said. He said he would like to find a letter or other documentation showing the Magna Carta was given to Thomas Clarkson. Making Magna Carta relevant for a new generation Vincent and Carpenter plan to visit Harvard in June to see its Magna Carta firsthand — and they say the document is as relevant as ever at a time when Harvard is clashing with the Trump administration over how much authority the federal government should have over its leadership, admissions and activism on campus. 'It turns up at Harvard at precisely the moment where Harvard is under attack as a private institution by a state authority that seems to want to tell Harvard what to do,' Vincent said. It also is a chance for a new generation to learn about the Magna Carta, which played a part in the founding of the United States — from the Declaration of Independence to the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Seventeen states have incorporated aspects of it into their laws. 'We think of law libraries as places where people can come and understand the underpinnings of democracy,' said Amanda Watson, the assistant dean for library and information services at Harvard Law School. 'To think that Magna Carta could inspire new generations of people to think about individual liberty and what that means and what self-governance means is very exciting.' Michael Casey, The Associated Press
The Independent
15-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Magna Carta ‘copy' wrongly catalogued in 1940s found to be original
An original issue of the Magna Carta, which auctioneers mistakenly catalogued as a copy in the 1940s and sold for a 'fairly derisory price', has been identified. Harvard Law School Library in America bought the document from a London book dealers in 1946 for 27 dollars and 50 cents before it was known that it was an original. By contrast, a Magna Carta that was sold at auction in 2007 fetched more than 21 million dollars – around £10 million at the time – at Sotheby's in New York. A British university professor who was studying unofficial copies of the Magna Carta online looked at the digitised version of the document on Harvard's website and realised it might be an original. Tests were carried out, including a detailed comparison of text, and it was confirmed to be an original issue of the Magna Carta from 1300 under King Edward I. David Carpenter, professor of medieval history at King's College London, who spotted the document online, said it was a 'fantastic discovery'. 'Harvard's Magna Carta deserves celebration, not as some mere copy, stained and faded, but as an original of one of the most significant documents in world constitutional history, a cornerstone of freedoms past, present and yet to be won,' he said. Prof Carpenter teamed up with fellow Magna Carta expert Nicholas Vincent, professor of medieval history at the University of East Anglia, to investigate the provenance of the document. Prof Vincent said Harvard's Magna Carta is the 25th known surviving Magna Carta original. 'The comparison I would draw is the rarest painter known to everybody is Vermeer,' said Prof Vincent. 'There are I think, it's disputed, there are over 30 Vermeer paintings in existence and yet he is seen as the rarest painter in history. 'There are only now 25 of these Magna Carta originals. 'It is an extraordinary thing for anyone to possess.' The Magna Carta is the royal charter of rights agreed in 1215 under King John. It was the first document to confirm the rights of ordinary people under common law. The first issue was repudiated by King John after around six weeks, and after his death it was reissued in three versions by his son Henry III, with the last of them in 1225, Prof Vincent said. 'That became the definitive text of Magna Carta,' he said. 'Then afterwards, whenever in the 13th Century there was a dispute between the king and the nation, kings reissued Magna Carta on at least three occasions after 1225. 'And this one (Harvard's Magna Carta), the 1300 issue, is the last time it was issued as a single sheet document under the king's seal as an official endorsement of the settlement of Magna Carta.' He said that, including Harvard's, there are seven known originals of the 1300 version that survive. 'Every county of England would originally have had a Magna Carta of each of those issues,' Prof Vincent said. The Harvard Magna Carta is thought to have been issued to the former parliamentary borough of Appleby in Westmorland, England. The Harvard Law School Library bought it in 1946 for 27 dollars and 50 cents, according to the library's accession register. Harvard Law School bought it from London book dealers Sweet & Maxwell. The book dealers had bought it at a Sotheby's auction in London a month or so earlier from First World War flying ace Air Vice-Marshal Forster 'Sammy' Maynard for £42. The Sotheby's auction catalogue described the manuscript as a 'copy…made in 1327…somewhat rubbed and damp-stained'. Maynard had inherited it in archives from leading abolitionists in the anti-slavery campaign Thomas and John Clarkson. Asked how it may have been mistaken for a copy, Prof Vincent said: 'I think everyone was knackered at the end of the Second World War. 'I think whoever read it at Sotheby's and looked at it, I suspect what they thought was 'oh it can't be an original Magna Carta because we'd know about it'. 'They misread the date, they got the wrong king. 'They catalogued it as if it was a charter of Edward III. 'But in fact it's Edward I. 'For an amateur that's a fairly easy mistake to make. 'But, as a result, the fact that it was an original was completely ignored and it went for a fairly derisory price.' He said he hoped Harvard would 'put it on display' and 'make a great deal of it'. Amanda Watson, of Harvard Law School, congratulated the two professors on the 'fantastic discovery' and said: 'This work exemplifies what happens when magnificent collections, like Harvard Law Library's, are opened to brilliant scholars.'
