The original of the Grand Charter of Liberties found in Harvard
David Carpenter examines the digitized document
Photo: Lorin Granger
British researchers have found that the « Copy » of the Grand Charter of Liberties, which is stored in Harvard, is in fact an extremely rare original document issued by King Edward I in 1300. This is one of the seven copies that have survived to this day.
This conclusion was reached by experts from the Royal College of London and the University of Eastern England (UEA), reported at the Harvard School of Law.
Great Charter of Liberties Or Magna is the first « unwritten » constitution of England. It has become the basis of constitutions in many countries of the world.
The Harvard School Library purchased the said document called HLS MS 172 in 1946 for $ 27.50. In the auction catalog, the manuscript was presented as « a copy … made in 1327 … Somewhat rubbed and with stains from moisture. »
About a month earlier, the « copy » was purchased by London’s Sweet & Maxwell Bookswell at Sotheby’s auction at a veteran of the royal military air forces for only 42 pounds.
Professor David Karpenter, a mediaevist from the Royal College of London, describes HLS MS 172 as « a prominent testimony of the fundamental stage in the political development of England » and as « one of the most valuable documents in the world. »
The process of study « Copy » of the Grand Charter of Liberties
Photo: Lorin Granger
« This is a fantastic discovery. Magna Harvard’s map deserves not as a copy, polluted and darkened, but as the original of one of the most prominent documents in world constitutional history – the basis of freedoms of the past, modern and future, » He said.
Professor Carpenter came across the digital version of HLS MS 172 on the website of the Harvard School of Law when studying unofficial copies of the Grand Charter. Then he suspected that he was original.
To establish the authenticity of the document, he began to compare it with other originals and united with Professor Nicholas Vincent, a mediaist at the University of Eastern England, to investigate its origin.
« It is an icon both Western political tradition and constitutional law. If you ask someone who is the most famous document in the history of the world is likely to call the big charter of liberties, » – said Professor Vincent.
When establishing the authenticity of HLS MS 172, the professors of Karpenter and Vincent noted that the size of the document – 489 mm by 473 mm – coincide with other known originals, as well as handwriting – with the capital « E » in the word « Edwardus » and elongated letters in the first line.
Scientists also compared all seven known originals with each other, in particular with the help of ultraviolet and spectral lighting.
« The origin of this document is simply fantastic. Given the place where it ended up and on modern problems with the rights and preservation of the constitutional tradition in the United States, it would be impossible to invent a better history of its appearance, » – said Professor Vincent.
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