Historical sensation: Harvard discovers real Magna Carta original!

Historical sensation: Harvard discovers real Magna Carta original!

British scientists have found a supposed "copy" of Magna Carta at Harvard University, which surprisingly turns out to be an original document from 1300. This reports vienna.at. Harvard acquired the document after World War II for just $27.50. The find not only offers new insights into the history of Magna Carta, but also raises questions about the authenticity of similar documents.

The Magna Carta, originally sealed in Runnymede by King John Without Land on June 15, 1215, is considered one of the most important legal documents in Western history. It is not only an agreement between the king and the revolting English nobility, but also represents the basis for the development of modern constitutions. According to press reports, an original Magna Carta document was last auctioned in 2007 for an impressive $21.3 million and subsequently donated to the National Archives in Washington.

The discovery at Harvard

Professor David Carpenter of King's College London was part of a research project at Harvard's digital library when he discovered the document. Together with his colleague Nicholas Vincent, he immediately recognized the authenticity of the paper. Features such as layout, text and handwriting clearly showed that it was an original. Vincent described the Magna Carta as one of the most famous documents in world history.

Carpenter noted the irony that such a significant document was found at a university under pressure from a government and emphasized the essential importance of the “law over rulers” principle. This is particularly relevant given the historical contexts in which fundamental rights and individual freedom are at issue.

Historical significance of the Magna Carta

The Magna Carta represents a turning point in English constitutional history. It guarantees fundamental political freedoms for the nobility vis-à-vis the king and secures the independence of the church from the crown. Its creation was in response to the tyrannical rule of King John Without Land, who frequently raised taxes and incurred the wrath of the barons. This led to a great council in 1213 in which the barons insisted on their rights and privileges.

The Magna Carta consists of 63 articles that cover a variety of topics, including feudal law and the rights of the church. Particularly noteworthy are Articles 14 and 39, which determine Parliament's budgetary sovereignty and procedural law. Despite the challenges and its later annulment by Pope Innocent III. The Magna Carta remains a symbol of the rule of law and still has historical and symbolic value today.

Once again, the Harvard discovery reaffirms the continued influence of Magna Carta on modern democratic principles and its role in the development of the American Constitution. In the United States, this document remains highly valued, and its legacy is inextricably linked to the idea of ​​freedom and the rule of law.

For more information about King John Without Land and Magna Carta, visit istockphoto and Wikipedia.