6000 x 4000 px | 50,8 x 33,9 cm | 20 x 13,3 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
15 ottobre 2023
Ubicazione:
Englefield Green, near Egham, Surrey, England
Altre informazioni:
The historic water meadows on the south banks of the Thames at Runnymede were famously the site where King John met a group of 25 rebel barons and after five days of deliberations, added his seal to the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215, turning it (in theory at least) into law. It was an early attempt to control the power of the crown by enshrining certain rights, freedoms and protections in law to counter the abuse of power by the monarch, In doing so it was intended to bring about peace between the Crown and rebel barons. The site was probably chosen as neutral ground as it was halfway between the rebel barons' stronghold at Staines and the Royal castle at Windsor. The terms of the charter were not upheld by either side and civil war broke out not long after. However revised versions were issued after King John's death the following year and continued to be issued down through the centuries. In the 18th century, Magna Carta became the basis for part of the United States Constitution - hence the American memorials at Runnymede and the replica Magna Carta on display in the US Capitol.
