In brief
Two British scholars have discovered that a seemingly ordinary manuscript in Harvard Law School's library is an original Magna Carta from 1300, expected to significantly alter the document's historical significance and value.
In an astonishing turn of events, a manuscript traditionally thought to be merely a copy of the Magna Carta has been identified as an original from 1300, residing in Harvard Law School's library for the past 80 years. The document was bought for a mere $27.50 in the aftermath of World War II and has remained largely unnoticed until now. The remarkable discovery was made by two British academics, one of whom serendipitously stumbled upon the manuscript. According to David Carpenter, a medieval history professor from King’s College London, the revelation came as a complete surprise. "I never in all my life expected to discover a Magna Carta," he confessed, reflecting on this pivotal moment in December 2023.The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated. This manuscript is one of only seven existing original copies from that era, which helps fortify the foundations of the legal system and civil liberties we uphold today. Although the manuscript’s value remains difficult to ascertain, it certainly boasts an extraordinary historical price tag relative to its purchase cost. For context, a version of the Magna Carta sold for a staggering $21.3 million in 2007.To confirm the authenticity of the manuscript, researchers utilized ultraviolet light photography and different levels of spectral imaging, techniques that allow for a deeper analysis of historical texts that are often undetectable to the naked eye.Nicholas Vincent, another professor of medieval history involved in the authentication process from the University of East Anglia, underlined the importance of the timing surrounding this important find. The Magna Carta, which encapsulates the principle that rulers are compelled to operate within the law, has re-emerged at a time when Harvard faces significant scrutiny from various external pressures.As interest peaks in this 710-year-old document, scholars and historians alike are set to explore the myriad implications this original Magna Carta may unleash on our understanding of legal history and heritage.
