How Magna Carta Made The Meadow of Runnymede World Famous

Jun 4
08:52

2015

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What is Magna Carta. Why has it become one of the most celebrated documents in history? And how it put the small meadow of Runnymede on the World Map.

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It is very hard to imagine how England was 800 years ago in 1215.  Most people living in poverty,How Magna Carta Made The Meadow of Runnymede World Famous Articles mud dwellings being used homes, knights in armour living in big castles are some of the things that spring to mind. One area that has not changed significantly over many centuries is Runnymede, which is a meadow that lies between Staines and Old Windsor; as it was described in the world famous Magna Carta.

The beautiful meadow of Runnymede, which lies on the river Thames in Surrey, was very close to undergoing a major development in 1929 but thankfully the authorities denied the application and the meadows remain unchanged for everybody to enjoy today.  Now that is also protected as a National Trust property and it will be kept and looked after as a beauty spot to the end of time.

Magna Carta means The Great Charter and it is one of most the documents that defined the modern world. It was originally issued by the King John of England whose reign was between 1199 and 1216. King John commissioned the document as a practical solution to the political issues he faced in 1215. This document, for the first time in history, established that everybody was subject to law; even the King. That day forward, no one was above the law and the law treated everybody equally; regardless of their titles and status.

The Magna Carta and its importance has been re-emphasized by world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Ataturk. It is one of the safeguards of freedom and it is as important today as it was first commissioned in 1215. It created the key notions of the modern-day legal system. The Magna Carta has extremely powerful chapters on preventing imprisonment without trial and guaranteeing justice.

Nowadays, the signing of Magna Carta is celebrated annually and there are much bigger celebrations at the 800th anniversary with over 4500 guests attending. The festivities usually range from informal family picnic affairs to a grand Pageant on the River Thames.  On special occasions, Gloriana, the Queen's Row Barge, even leads this magnificent flotilla of boats. And, people line the banks of the river Thames all the way from Hurley to Runnymede to catch a glimpse of this pageant.

As this historic event not only shaped the British modern life but also most of the Western world, there is a lot of international interest in the celebrations as well. Especially the Americans travel all the way over to England to visit Runnymede and to take part in the celebrations.

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