Original 1300 Magna Carta at Harvard
Harvard University has made an astonishing discovery – what was believed to be a replica of the Magna Carta has been identified as an original from 1300, issued by King Edward I. This once-overlooked document spent decades misidentified and undervalued. It includes unique features that testify to its authenticity and historical significance, particularly in relation to constitutional frameworks. While its value is estimated in the millions, Harvard intends to keep it as a valuable piece of history rather than selling it. The Magna Carta’s relevance continues today, influencing laws and discussions about governance.
You won’t believe the tale of discovery that’s surfacing at Harvard University. What they long believed to be a modest copy of the historic Magna Carta, bought for a mere less than $30 back in 1946, has just been revealed to be a much rarer treasure: an original Magna Carta from 1300, personally issued by King Edward I of Britain! Imagine that – a document snuggled away for decades, misidentified and undervalued.
The Magna Carta, established in 1215, is not just a piece of old parchment. It’s a pivotal document that declared that the king must follow the law, laying groundwork for constitutional frameworks across the globe. While there are only four original copies of the Magna Carta, researchers previously knew about just six known versions from 1300. Talk about historical scarcity!
It wasn’t until December 2023 that David Carpenter, a medieval history professor at King’s College London, stumbled upon the document while perusing the Harvard Law School Library’s website. His astonishment was palpable as he unraveled that Harvard had held this previously unknown Magna Carta all along!
Carpenter didn’t just stop there. To ensure the document was the real deal, he teamed up with Nicholas Vincent, another professor of medieval history, and they meticulously set to work confirming its authenticity. Their verification process included dimensional comparisons with several known versions from 1300. They even utilized ultraviolet light and spectral imaging techniques to delve deeper into its features.
So, what’s the big deal about this 1300 version? It includes some intriguing, albeit subtle, changes compared to its predecessors. Among the notable identifiers was a distinct handwriting style, featuring a large capital ‘E’ in the word ‘Edwardus’. These characteristics practically scream authenticity!
Can you put a price on history? Harvard’s Magna Carta is speculated to be valued in the millions. Interestingly, they have no intentions of putting it up for sale! Just to put things in perspective, a 1297 version of the Magna Carta fetched an astonishing $21.3 million at auction back in 2007. Those numbers are enough to make history lovers swoon!
The journey of Harvard’s document is quite fascinating in its own right. It traces back to Appleby, Westmorland, England. Purchased from a London book dealer for just $27.50, it was misdated as 1327 at the time. Prior to Harvard’s acquisition, it was consigned for auction in 1945 by a World War I flying ace, who inherited it from the Clarkson family, celebrated for their anti-slavery efforts. Can you picture that?!
While Harvard is basking in the excitement of this momentous discovery, David Carpenter is gearing up to visit the university to see this precious Magna Carta up close. At a time when there are significant discussions about authority and self-governance, the Magna Carta’s endurance remains thoughtfully relevant.
Even states in the U.S. haven’t overlooked its importance. Seventeen states have woven aspects of the Magna Carta into their laws, truly marking its impact in the American democracy fabric. Amanda Watson, the assistant dean for library and information services at Harvard Law School, reminded us that this document inspires new generations about the essence of individual liberty and governance.
This captivating discovery highlights an essential point about historical collections. It’s all about making them accessible to scholars and the public for ongoing research. Who knows what other treasures are waiting to be uncovered out there? The world feels just a little brighter with a shining piece of history like this 1300 Magna Carta surfacing in our times.
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