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Are we celebrating the wrong Magna Carta?

Are we celebrating the wrong Magna Carta?

David Carpenter explains why a lesser-known reissue of Magna Carta is in fact more significant than the original

Dr David Musgrove, FSA

Published: February 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM

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The history books tell us that Magna Carta was sealed on 15 June 1215. But, according to Professor David Carpenter, that's not actually the date we should commemorate. He explains to David Musgrove why we ought to remember a different issue of the charter – 800 years ago on 11 February 1225. It was in 1225 that John's son Henry III willingly agreed to a reissue of the charter and, argues David, this was the one with the lasting legacy.

Authors

Dr David Musgrove, FSAContent director

David Musgrove is the content director at HistoryExtra

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