PILGRIMS have flocked to Durham to see Durham Cathedral's unique copy of the Magna Carta which went on public display today for the first time in its 799-year history.
The copy, dated to 1216 copy, has gone on show to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the original charter.
It is part of an exciting new exhibition which will take visitors through 800 years of revolt, right from 1215 at Runnymede through to the Arab Spring and the Occupy Movement.
The exhibition is just the centrepiece of a wider programme of supporting events planned for the summer. Television historian David Starkey will give a talk on Magna Carta and the British constitution on Friday, June 5; Professor Nicholas Vincent from the University of East Anglia will speak about Durham’s role in the story on Thursday, July 2; and Dr Liddy himself will discuss citizen politics on Wednesday, July 8.
There will be four free public lectures and the Cathedral will host a medieval family fun weekend on August 8 and 9 and the world premiere of The Great Charter, a new opera inspired by Magna Carta, on Saturday, June 13.
There will be a special Evensong service on Sunday, June 14, and the Library will host themed children’s activities each weekend in June.
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