A PRICELESS crucifix said to have been used for Richard III and a hoard of Civil War coins from North Yorkshire will form part of a prestigious Magna Carta exhibition this summer.

The Bosworth crucifix and more than 100 coins from the Breckenbrough Hoard will be displayed alongside Durham Cathedral’s unique 1216 edition of Magna Carta at Durham University’s Palace Green Library.

There will also be a draft 1689 Declaration of Rights, the 1832 Great Reform Act and Jacobite treasures from the archives of the now-closed Catholic seminary at Ushaw College.

They, along with books and documents from the university’s own collections, will all be part of the Magna Carta and the Changing Face of Revolt exhibition, celebrating the 800th anniversary of the hugely influential deal between King John and his rebellious barons, which opens a month tomorrow (June 1).

Additionally, television historian David Starkey will give a talk on Magna Carta and a themed opera, The Great Charter, will get its world premiere at Durham Cathedral.

The whole city is gearing up for the attraction, the biggest since the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in 2013. The Tango Burger restaurant is offering a Magna Carta Burger, of “meaty patty fired over hot timbers”.

Exhibition curator Emma Hamlett said: “With only one month to go until our Magna Carta exhibition opens, we’re getting ready to welcome thousands of visitors to Durham this summer.”

Around 2,000 tickets have been snapped up since sales began in March. Around 30,000 visitors are expected between June 1 and August 31.

The Bosworth crucifix was found on the site of the 1485 Battle of Bosworth and is thought to have been used in the private masses conducted for Richard III, while the Breckenbrough Hoard is thought to have been deposited before the 1644 Battle of Marston Moor.

The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 6pm. Entry costs £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for children aged five to 16 and concessions and is free for children up to five.

To book, go online to ticketmaster.co.uk/magna_carta_2015, visit Palace Green Library or call 0844-844-0444.