Magna Carta and the North saw the only surviving 1216 Magna Carta, along with issues from 1225 and 1300, and three Forest Charters on display in Durham Cathedral Museum.
The rare documents were on display along with contemporary artworks and interactive installations that could be seen throughout the cathedral.
Celebrating the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue of Magna Carta, alongside the immersive art installations, the exhibition offered a rare opportunity to reflect on timeless values such as accountability of leaders, protection of the vulnerable and equality.
What is Magna Carta?
Magna Carta, the ‘Great Charter’, has been described as the most famous document in English history and a cornerstone of modern democracy. First issued in 1215, it was the first document that put into writing that the king and his government were not above the law, in order to prevent the king from exploiting his power. With three clauses from the 1225 Magna Carta still in force today, the document remains a cornerstone of British democracy.
Marie-Therese, our Collections and Exhibitions Officer explains more in this video:
A closer look a the exhibition
