Harvard University recently discovered that a previously undervalued document in its collection is a rare 1300 copy of the Magna Carta, rather than a mere reproduction. The revelation came from David Carpenter, a medieval history professor at King’s College London, who found the digitized document in December 2023 while exploring the Harvard Law School Library’s website. The original Magna Carta, established in 1215, is fundamental to global constitutional principles, asserting the rule of law over the crown.
Confirmed by Carpenter and Nicholas Vincent, a historian from the University of East Anglia, the authenticity of Harvard’s document was validated through detailed comparisons with other known copies and advanced imaging techniques that revealed previously invisible text details. Their analysis showed that the dimensions, text, and specific handwriting styles matched the known original 1300 versions.
The document has a rich history itself, traced back to the Appleby borough in Westmorland, England. Harvard acquired it in 1946 for $27.50, mistakenly dating it to 1327. Vincent linked its journey to a World War I flying ace and noted campaigners against the slave trade, suggesting it likely originated from Appleby.
As Harvard faces scrutiny over federal authority, Vincent and Carpenter emphasize the Magna Carta’s contemporary relevance and its role in inspiring discussions about individual liberties and governance. They aim to visit Harvard to explore the document, believing it can educate new generations about democracy’s foundations, integral to principles like those in the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. The document’s newfound significance could inspire renewed interest in democratic values within law libraries.
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