Join Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations in St Albans
A medieval market and mock courtroom trials are among a host of activities being held in St Albans to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.
The packed programme of events taking place during the weekend of 13 and 14 June will also celebrate St Albans’ heritage as a Charter Market Town.
The City played a key role in the development of Magna Carta, the historic 13th century document setting out basic rights and freedoms, including trial by jury. St Albans hosted the first meeting between the churchmen and barons that led to the charter of rights being sealed by King John at Runnymede in 1215.
The events programme includes a medieval market, featuring food, drink, storytelling, live music, demonstrations and performances from vendors in clothing inspired by the period. The market will run for three days in Civic Place from Friday 12 June.
The old Town Hall, in Market Place, will be hosting an exhibition called ‘Medieval Lives and Liberties’ focusing on life in St Albans in this period. Inspired by the freedoms enshrined in Magna Carta, there will also be free re-enactments of real-life Victorian trials that took place in the building’s historic courtroom. In addition, visitors can take part in a courtroom debate on Saturday 13 June that will put ‘Prison Education on Trial’ over the 19th and 21st centuries.
There is also the opportunity to explore trial and sentencing through the ages by getting involved in a mock trial at the Crown Court in Bricket Road.
The court will be hosting a police dog display, crime talks and children’s activities on Saturday 13 June from 10am to 3pm.
At St Albans Cathedral, visitors can see an exhibition on Magna Carta and follow a children’s trail to find out about the City’s role in its development.
If you are at the Cathedral on Sunday 14 June listen out for the sound of bells that will be rung at 3pm to celebrate Magna Carta.
A range of further events, including walking tours, continue in June and July to celebrate our City’s heritage. See
www.enjoystalbans.com/magnacarta for more information on how to book your tickets.
Cllr Annie Brewster, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage at St Albans City and District Council, said: “These events celebrate Magna
Carta and the role of St Albans in the development of this important, historic document. Since the 13th century, the principles and rights enshrined in
the Charter have been used to underpin legal systems across the world. Even today, they still form the basis of the constitution of countries such as
the United States of America and Australia. Come along to these events and you will get a real insight into the significance of this fascinating
document and its position in St Albans’ history. They offer a taste of how the story of St Albans will be brought alive when the old Town Hall is
transformed into a new museum and gallery.”
The Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations kicked off in St Albans two years ago when the original 1215 Magna Carta was put on display at
St Albans Cathedral. Cllr Brewster, who was then Mayor of St Albans City and District, was there to welcome its arrival in the City.
Further information about the Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations in St Albans is available on the website. These events are part of national celebrations across the country to mark 800 years of Magna Carta. More information about the commemoration of Magna Carta is available
on the website. (Page no longer is available due to a changeover of websites).
Councillor contact:
Cllr Annie Brewster, Portfolio Holder for Sport, Leisure and Heritage at the Council
Tel: 01438 832255
Email: cllr.a.brewster@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
Amanda Wilkinson,
Media and Internal Communications Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317
E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil
Notes:
1. In 1213, barons and clergymen, led by Stephen Langton the Archbishop of Canterbury, gathered at St Albans Abbey to discuss their grievances
against King John. Two year later Magna Carta was sealed at Runnymede in 1215. More information about the role of St Albans in the
development of Magna Carta is available on the website.
2. Work is underway to raise funds to transform St Albans’ grade II* listed Town Hall into a new museum and art gallery. This will provide a new
home for the Museum of St Albans. The Council is working with St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust and the University of Hertfordshire
Galleries on the project. The St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust is leading a public fundraising campaign ‘renaissance: St Albans’ for the
project. More information about the campaign is available on their website.
Photos:
TOP: Cllr Annie Brewster, then Mayor of St Albans City and District, pictured welcoming Magna Carta to the City in 2013.
ABOVE: There will be a medieval-