This year marks the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta back in June 1215.

What's it all about?

There's often mentions of the Magna Carta being sealed, but what exactly does that mean?

Well in short, King John of England agreed a charter at Runnymede which was drafted by The Archbishop of Canterbury on 15th June 1215. This charter established human rights promising the protection from illegal imprisonment,  protection of unfair church rights, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown.

Although the original Magna Carta may have been revised over the past 800 years, the principle still remains the same - the charter is in place to protect our freedom.

See the document for yourself

There is a full translated version of the Magna Carta via The British Library online. 

If you want to see the document in person there are still 4 surviving copies of the document.

• Two copies of the 1215 original are available for public viewing at The British Library.
• There is a copy held at the Salisbury Cathedral.
• A final copy will be available from April 1st at Lincoln Cathedral, held in a special vault.

Get involved with this historic event

To mark this worldwide historic event there are a number of ways for everyone to get involved and enjoy the celebrations. We've listed a few events in and around the Windsor area to help you feel involved.

1st June

• Opening of the Egham Museum Pop-up Magna Carta exhibition in Egham, showcasing and celebrating community projects to commemorate the Great Charter. Supported by Strode’s College and Magna Carta School and sponsored by Runnymede Borough Council.

13th and 14th June

• A spectacular River Pageant is planned by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of this sealing of the Magna Carta. A flotilla of all types and sizes of boat and seacraft will set off from Hurley on Saturday 13 June and wend its way downstream to Wraysbury by Sunday 14th June 2015.

• Eton is holding a street party and a medieval fair.

• A Liber Tea (afternoon tea) will be held at Bachelors Acre Windsor at 1:00.