Academic Finds Rare Document in Digital Archive
A British historian has identified a rare original Magna Carta from 1300 in Harvard Law School’s archives. Professor David Carpenter of King’s College London made the discovery while researching unofficial copies.
Carpenter was examining digital manuscripts from Harvard Law School Library when he found something unexpected. He accessed manuscript number 172 expecting a statute book but found otherwise.
“I was just working at home… looking for unofficial copies of Magna Carta,” he told CNN. “And what I saw… was an original of the 1300 Magna Carta.”
Figure 1: A rare copy of Magna Carta in a display case at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Experts Confirm Document’s Authenticity
Carpenter immediately contacted fellow academic Nicholas Vincent from the University of East Anglia. Both historians specialise in Magna Carta research.
“I said, ‘is this what I think it is?’ And he said, ‘yeah, I think it is too,'” Carpenter recalled.
The manuscript showed key traits from King Edward I’s 1300 issue of Magna Carta. These traits included handwriting style and the opening letter “E” for Edwardus.
The parchment measured 48.9 by 47.3 centimetres, consistent with the known originals.
Harvard Law School supplied ultraviolet images to assist with the identification. Text comparison confirmed its match with other surviving 1300 issues.
“That made me convinced that it was indeed authentic,” Carpenter added.
Purchased in 1946 for $27.50
Harvard Law School Library bought the document in 1946 for $27.50. It came via auction from London dealers Sweet & Maxwell.
The item was described in the auction catalogue as a 1327 copy, rubbed and damp-stained.
Sweet & Maxwell had acquired it from Air Vice Marshal Maynard, a former World War I pilot. Maynard inherited it from two prominent anti-slavery campaigners.
Amanda Watson, Harvard’s assistant dean for library services, praised the researchers. She called the find a result of opening valuable collections to scholars.
Vincent described the document’s provenance as remarkable. “You couldn’t invent a provenance that was more wonderful than this,” he said.
Seven Known Originals from 1300 Remain
Historians believe only seven originals of the 1300 Magna Carta remain. This discovery adds to that rare list.
Magna Carta, issued in 1215, laid foundational principles of English law. It stated the king and government must obey the law.
“He couldn’t just say, ‘off with your head, into prison, I’m seizing your property,'” Carpenter said. “He had to do so by due legal process.”
The 1300 version came from Edward I, who reissued the charter multiple times. Each reissue aimed to reaffirm legal principles and gain political support.
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Historical Significance of Magna Carta
Magna Carta began at Runnymede in 1215 under King John. It sought to protect baronial rights and limit royal authority.
Church rights, justice access, and restrictions on feudal payments were central points. Pope Innocent III annulled the charter shortly after its creation.
Subsequent reissues followed John’s death, including in 1216, 1217, 1225, and 1297. Edward I confirmed the 1297 version as statute law.
The 1300 edition reinforced the 1297 statute. Modern historians see Magna Carta as one among many such medieval documents.
Symbolic Power and Legal Legacy
Though most clauses have been repealed, four remain in force in England and Wales. Magna Carta holds strong symbolic status.
Lord Denning once called it “the greatest constitutional document of all times.”
The United Kingdom’s Parliament credits Magna Carta with placing the monarch under the law. Its ideals influenced the United States Constitution and common law principles.
Only four exemplifications of the 1215 charter exist today. Two remain in the British Library. Lincoln Castle and Salisbury Cathedral hold the other two.
In 2015, the 800th anniversary prompted global displays and scholarly events. The British Library exhibited all four 1215 copies together.
Public Display Planned for the Discovery
Carpenter and Vincent will travel to Harvard in June to celebrate the finding. Harvard Law School plans to place the manuscript on public display.
Carpenter called it “one of the jewels in the crown” of Harvard’s collection. The rediscovered Magna Carta adds significant value to its archival holdings.
This discovery marks a milestone in the study of medieval legal documents. It also highlights the continuing importance of open academic access to historical materials.
