Hereford Cathedral celebrates 800th birthday of the Magna Carta

Hereford Cathedral celebrates 800th birthday of the Magna Carta by putting its 1217 Magna Carta on display in a special exhibition running to 31 December 2017.

‘Law, Life and Landscape’ celebrates the 800th anniversary of the document, which forms the centrepiece of the presentation in Hereford cathedral library’s exhibition gallery.

The 1217 Charter brought to an end a civil war in England which the more famous 1215 Charter of Liberties had failed to conclude. It was the first to be called ‘Magna’ (Great), to distinguish it from the smaller Forest Charter published alongside it.

Hereford Cathedral possesses one of only four surviving official copies of the 1217 Magna Carta. It is too fragile to be on permanent display, although it did go on a 37,000-mile world tour in 2015, when it was seen by 25,000 people.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see this piece of history and take in the splendours of Hereford Cathedral.

Law, Life and Landscape’ is shown within the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition space, from Monday 24 July to Saturday 30 December 2017, 10am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm) – from 30 October closes 4pm (last admission 3.30pm). Normal admission charges apply.

w: herefordcathedral.org