As part of a project designed to promote learning of History, Law and Citizenship, the Magna Carta Trust will be sending every primary school in Britain a copy of the Magna Carta, together with a resource pack with fold-out time-line and newspaper stories, so that its pupils can learn about the legacy of the historic document during its 800th anniversary year.
Magna Carta was:
- sealed by King John on 15 June 1215, forced by a group of rebellious barons
- the first formal document to limit the power of the King, stating that a King had to follow the laws of the land
- the first document which guaranteed the rights of individuals
- the foundation of trial by jury
- the genesis of Parliament
The initiative is funded by charitable donations to the 800th Anniversary Committee and is part of ongoing celebrations of the document.
The Magna Carta is considered a cornerstone of the British constitution and is an "epic narrative that continues to shape our world", according to Sir Robert Worcester, chairman of the Magna Carta 800th anniversary committee. It was signed at Runnymede in Surrey, a site now owned and maintained by the National Trust which is well worth a visit.
Schools are urged to take advantage of this superb free resource offering to encourage students to understand the importance of this historical document and event, taking notice of how it relates to the modern world. You can find out more about the project here: http://magnacarta800th.com/schools/ including downloadable ideas for teaching Magna Carta at KS2.
Magna Carta is evoked and cited whenever basic freedoms come under threat from over zealous governments, even in the cradle of world democracy itself. In 2008 David Davis MP, stood down from Parliament in order to fight a by-election on the issue of 42-day detention, Magna Carta providing the casus belli (justification). He won the argument and once again, Magna Carta carried the day.
Indeed, schools may wish to also take advantage of resources offered by Parliament to enhance the learning opportunities offered by the Magna Carta Trust.
