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| Magna Carta changed the world, David Cameron tells anniversary event | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Magna Carta went on to change the world, Prime Minister David Cameron has said, at an event marking the 800th anniversary of the document that heralded modern democracy. | |
| He was speaking at a ceremony at Runnymede in Surrey, close to the River Thames, where King John of England sealed the original document in 1215. | He was speaking at a ceremony at Runnymede in Surrey, close to the River Thames, where King John of England sealed the original document in 1215. |
| The Queen also attended the ceremony. | The Queen also attended the ceremony. |
| The charter first protected the rights and freedoms of society and established that the king was subject to the law. | |
| Mr Cameron told the audience Magna Carta altered forever "the balance of power between the governed and the government". | |
| And he said the document had inspired different generations and countries across the world. | And he said the document had inspired different generations and countries across the world. |
| He said: "Why do people set such store by Magna Carta? | He said: "Why do people set such store by Magna Carta? |
| "Because they look to history. They see how the great charter shaped the world, for the best part of a millennium, helping to promote arguments for justice and for freedom." | "Because they look to history. They see how the great charter shaped the world, for the best part of a millennium, helping to promote arguments for justice and for freedom." |
| Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the document "set the bar high for all of us today". | Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the document "set the bar high for all of us today". |
| Analysis | |
| Peter Hunt, BBC diplomatic and royal correspondent | |
| For a document credited with delivering so much, this was a brief celebration, limited to a few speeches and musical performances. | |
| Where powerful rebellious barons and a king had once sealed the Magna Carta, sat a Queen whose powers and those of her many ancestors were limited by the 800-year-old text. | |
| The Latin text, written on sheepskin, failed to avert a civil war. | |
| Today, in the meadow by the River Thames, the prime minister used it to highlight a future battle - the one to come over his government's plans to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights. | |
| Reform - which will be contested - is for the future. | |
| Today, the focus was more on the past and celebrating Magna Carta, which is revered and has had influence in America and at the United Nations; and which is considered by many to represent the foundation of democracy. | |
| Read more from Peter | |
| The Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Royal also attended the ceremony. | |
| Prince William was shown a new art installation commissioned for the anniversary. | |
| The work, called The Jurors, is inspired by the 39th clause of Magna Cartar, which gives the right to a jury trial. | |
| Artist Hew Locke said it was a "great honour" to be chosen to produce the piece. | |
| Why is Magna Carta so important? | Why is Magna Carta so important? |
| By Clive Coleman, BBC legal correspondent | By Clive Coleman, BBC legal correspondent |
| "Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?" asked an exasperated Tony Hancock playing the jury foreman in an episode of his famous Half Hour. | "Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?" asked an exasperated Tony Hancock playing the jury foreman in an episode of his famous Half Hour. |
| Clearly not. Far from dying, Magna Carta has had a life longer, fuller and more influential than the most optimistic medieval baron could have imagined. | Clearly not. Far from dying, Magna Carta has had a life longer, fuller and more influential than the most optimistic medieval baron could have imagined. |
| But why is a charter from 1215 which was declared null and void by the Pope within weeks of being written, which doesn't mention "trial by jury" or "habeas corpus" (the right not to be held indefinitely without trial) and which forbids any woman from accusing a man of murder or manslaughter, seen as the foundation of our liberties and our law? | But why is a charter from 1215 which was declared null and void by the Pope within weeks of being written, which doesn't mention "trial by jury" or "habeas corpus" (the right not to be held indefinitely without trial) and which forbids any woman from accusing a man of murder or manslaughter, seen as the foundation of our liberties and our law? |
| At its heart is the idea that the law is not simply the whim of the king, or the government. It is the great egalitarian legacy of Magna Carta, that all are equal under the law, and all can be held to account. | At its heart is the idea that the law is not simply the whim of the king, or the government. It is the great egalitarian legacy of Magna Carta, that all are equal under the law, and all can be held to account. |
| It is that idea that gave birth to so many of our rights and freedoms, to parliamentary democracy, fair trial, and a series of controls on the abuse of arbitrary power. | It is that idea that gave birth to so many of our rights and freedoms, to parliamentary democracy, fair trial, and a series of controls on the abuse of arbitrary power. |
| There was also a rededication of the American Bar Association's Magna Carta Memorial. | |
| A replica of the Great Charter began its journey down the Thames on Saturday as part of the commemorations. | A replica of the Great Charter began its journey down the Thames on Saturday as part of the commemorations. |
| The Royal Barge Gloriana has led 200 boats from Hurley in Berkshire and is due to arrive at Runnymede on Monday. | The Royal Barge Gloriana has led 200 boats from Hurley in Berkshire and is due to arrive at Runnymede on Monday. |
| There are just four known copies of the original Magna Carta in existence today, from an estimated 13 that were made. | There are just four known copies of the original Magna Carta in existence today, from an estimated 13 that were made. |
| Two are held by the British Library, with Salisbury Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral holding the others. | Two are held by the British Library, with Salisbury Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral holding the others. |
| What was Magna Carta? | What was Magna Carta? |
| BBC iWonder - How did a peace treaty from 1215 forge the freedoms of 2015? | BBC iWonder - How did a peace treaty from 1215 forge the freedoms of 2015? |
| Are you attending the ceremony? You can share your experience and photos by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you attending the ceremony? You can share your experience and photos by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
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