About the Magna Carta Project
Aims and objectives
The Magna Carta Project is a landmark investigation into the context, production and reception of Magna Carta. The project website provides freely available texts, translations and expert commentaries on Magna Carta 1215, together with the original charters of King John (1199-1216), in preparation for the 800th anniversary of the Charter’s endorsement, in 2015.
The Magna Carta Project website provides the original Latin texts of Magna Carta 1215 with new English translations, accompanied by expert commentaries, with versions available for schools, the general public and scholars.
Members of the project team are also seeking out the surviving originals of King John’s charters, as well as those charters that are not found in the surviving Charter Rolls produced by John’s government. There are being made available on the project website.
The Magna Carta Project also provides classroom material for schools on Magna Carta and King John, in versions for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.
King John’s diary and itinerary for the period 1214-15 allows users to trace the king’s activities during the critical period that led to Magna Carta.
Analysis by the project team and project users is provided in the Feature of the Month, while the project blog will provide news on the team’s work and upcoming events, as well as features spotlighting important moments in the story of Magna Carta.
The British Library is a partner in the Magna Carta Project and Professor Nicholas Vincent and Professor David Carpenter have been members of the advisory group which supported the development of the themes and content of the British Library's exhibition, Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy (13.3.15-1.9.15).
The Magna Carta Project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and is a collaboration between the British Library, the University of East Anglia, King’s College London, All Souls College Oxford and Canterbury Christ Church University.
Project Funding
This project is made possible by a grant from The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds world-class, independent researchers in a wide range of subjects: ancient history, modern dance, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, English literature, design, the creative and performing arts, and much more. This financial year the AHRC will spend approximately £98m to fund research and postgraduate training in collaboration with a number of partners. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK. For further information on the AHRC, please go to: www.ahrc.ac.uk/