Magna Carta

by Claire Breay

Magna Carta is one of the most celebrated documents in English history and one of the most popular exhibits at The British Library. But despite this fame, the reinterpretations made of it since 1215 have tended to obscure its real meaning for King John and his baronial opponents. Magna Carta was not intended to be a lasting declaration of legal principle, still less an embryonic code of human rights. It was a practical solution to a political crisis and it served the interests of the highest ranks of feudal society by reasserting the power of custom to limit arbitrary behaviour by the king. This book explores the context in which Magna Carta was issued to discover what it really meant to its creators and how it came to be an iconic historical document.

Genres: History

64 pages, Paperback

First published August 14, 2002

About the author

Dr Claire Breay is the Lead Curator for Medieval and Earlier Manuscripts at the British Library where she has worked since 1998. In 2015 she curated with Julian Harrison an exhibition at the British Library to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.

Reviews

[Gareth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb short history that sets the Magna Carta in context. Richly and colourfully illustrated, although many images date from later than 1215. Demonstrates how the Magna Carta was never intended as a Bill of Rights but nevertheless was coopted in parts to form one foundation of democracy in later centuries. A thoughtful, balanced and informative read.

[Chris Ekral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up quite cheaply in the British Library. It's a great, informative look at the background and ramifications of the Magna Carta. Plenty of gorgeous illustrations and photos, too. A great starting point for anyone interested in the Magna Carta.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t resist picking this up in the gift shop after seeing the two specimens in the British Library 🤩. I found this book to be a good, concise overview, and interesting reading.