Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy | What's on | The British Library - The British Library

 

Foundation of democracy or rallying cry for modern rights? One of the world’s most famous documents, Magna Carta has inspired some of today’s fundamental liberties. Yet it started as a practical solution to a political crisis 800 years ago.


Since 1215, Magna Carta has evolved from a political agreement to an
international symbol of freedom. Uncover the story of how its power has
been used – and abused – from its genesis through to today’s popular
culture, in the largest exhibition ever staged about this world-famous
document.


Explore centuries of dramatic history, from King John, medieval
battles, revolution, wars, empire and the struggle for the right to
vote, right up to today’s satirical commentaries.

- See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

To
mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta we are holding a
once-in-a-lifetime exhibition - book now! - See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta we are holding a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition - book now! - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

To
mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta we are holding a
once-in-a-lifetime exhibition - book now! - See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

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Neil Gaiman: Libraries are cultural 'seed corn'

Neil Gaiman with ‘a little empathy machine’. Photograph: Lebrecht Music and Arts Photo Li/Alamy

A feral child who was raised in libraries

Toby Litt: You’ve described yourself as a “feral child who was raised in libraries”. What age were you when you were first drawn into a library, and why do you think they hooked you?
Neil: I was probably three or four when I first started going to libraries. We moved up to Sussex when I was five, and I discovered the local library very, very quickly. But I wasn’t really hooked until I got to the point where I was old enough to persuade my parents to just take me to the library and leave me there, which would have probably been about seven or eight. And at that point it was like being given the keys to the kingdom.
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