Few Medieval events have the same resonance in the modern context as the signing of Magna Carta by King John 800 years ago today. David Cameron has spoken of it as an event which changed the world. Is that accurate history? Perhaps it is almost as great a misconception as that of Tony Hancock playing a jury foreman who states, in exasperated tones during a famous Hancock's Half Hour "Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?".
Lord Sumption is both a distinguished lawyer and an eminent historian with a better understanding of the medieval mind than most. Have a read of his excellent speech made earlier this year in which he convincingly explains how and why the popular modern presentation of Magna Carta's significance bears little reflection in reality.
Lord Sumption is both a distinguished lawyer and an eminent historian with a better understanding of the medieval mind than most. Have a read of his excellent speech made earlier this year in which he convincingly explains how and why the popular modern presentation of Magna Carta's significance bears little reflection in reality.
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