Treasures of our Memorial Library The Magna Carta "I'll tell thee about Magna Charter, As were signed at the barons' command On RunningmeedIsland, in the center of f Thames, By John, who were known as Lack-Land." - Stanley Holloway Our Library is fortunate to hold a replica, full size, of this famous document. The original is probably the most important historical document in the Western world. This particular facsimile, on heavy, cream-coloured paper, measures about 20 by 15 inches. Its language is pedantic Latin. Naturally, the original was laboriously hand-written; the year 1215 was a bit before the invention of the typewriter. However, the writing is quite legible. Packed with our copy, in a strong cardboard tube, is an English translation with a few details of the history behind the item. It bears no reference number, and is not to be found in the library's files. It rests on a bottom shelf in the Reference Section. It did not tell me all I wanted to know, so I turned to the ever-faithful Encyclopaedia Britannica. It supplied most of the historical data I have copied below. The margins of this "copy" of the Magna Carta have been beautifully embellished by the addition of the coats-of-arms of the fourteen barons and earls who witnessed the "signing", though -- to my surprise -- the copy bears none of their signatures, nor even that of the King. How many of them, I wonder, including His Majesty, were incapable of signing their names, anyway? However, the King's great red seal, over two inches across, "signs" the lower margin. Impressive, indeed! Our old and trusted friend, "Britannica" offers most of the following information. Under threat of civil war, the originals of the Magna Carta were sealed and promulgated by King John in 1215. Each copy begins with a preamble thus: "John, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandie and Aquitaine --." It was reissued, with omissions and alterations, in 1216, and again with further changes in 1217. What is often regarded as the definitive edition was signed by King Henry III in 1225. Henry's version made generous promises of good government in church and state, "to God and holy church and all his earls and barons and all his men." Like the original of 1215, it again offered various guarantees of the basic rights of all the king's subjects. The document consists of a preamble and 63 clauses. It offers the king's statement that he had made the grant of the terms of his own free will, and for a financial grant-in-aid. It was read many times, obviously in the vernacular, in the "shire courts", under the King's orders. Thereafter, whenever liberty seemed in danger in British realms, men spoke of the Great Charter as their defence. The Petition of Right in 1628, and the Habeas Corpus Act (1769) stemmed directly from Clause 39 of the Charter of 1215. In 18th century America, when colonies were forming their own laws, the very words of Magna Carta were often incorporated. The same occurred in framing the federal constitution of the United States. Four originals of the 1215 Charter still exist. They have often been moved around for public display, but it is probable that two copies now lie in English cathedrals and the other two probably rest today in the British Library and the British Museum. And we, in the West Vancouver Memorial Library, are fortunate possessors of a beautiful copy. GOOD SHOW! Ted Hill