Back in June 1215, English barons assembled at Runnymede to challenge the authority of King John. On the 15th June 1215, the Magna Carta was authenticated by the Great Seal and history was made.

 What is the Magna Carta?

• The Magna Carta outlined basic rights with the principle that no-one was above the law, including the king
• It charted the right to a fair trial and limits on taxation without representation
• It inspired a number of other documents, including the US Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Only three clauses are still valid - the one guaranteeing the liberties of the English Church; the clause confirming the privileges of the city of London and other towns; and the clause that states that no free man shall be imprisoned without the lawful judgement of his equals
• The British Library has two copies of the 1215 Magna Carta

Source: The British Library

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.

Councillor Eileen Quick, the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Libraries, commented: 'The Magna Carta is the foundation of law and democracy in many parts of the world, not just here in the United Kingdom, and the world’s eyes will be on us in June next year.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime anniversary and the river pageant will be a fabulous opportunity to celebrate it.'

The event will be visible from the riverbank and is something not to be missed.

The pageant is being organised by RBWM in conjunction with Runnymede Council and Thames Alive which helped to organise the Queen’s Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012 which saw a multitude of vessels take part in a similar river pageant on the Thames in London.

The costs are planned to be covered by sponsors (underwritten by the Royal Borough).

A whole calendar of events, activities and exhibitions is being organised by local libraries, the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, schools and community groups leading up to the actual river pageant itself.

Up to date details are available by going to www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/museum_magna_carta.htm

Also check out: http://magnacarta800th.com/