News

# Medieval experts reveal how they found Harvard’s Magna Carta

The National Archives hosted an evening with the medieval experts who recently
discovered a ‘copy’ of the Magna Carta was actually an extremely rare original.

Published 25 June 2025

An investigation led by Prof David Carpenter of King’s College London revealed
the document held at Harvard Law School since the 1940s and thought to be a copy
had actually been issued by King Edward I in 1300. Prof Nicholas Vincent, a
medieval expert at the University of East Anglia, researched its journey to
Harvard from its first destination, Appleby in Cumbria, via two London
salerooms.

> This extraordinary discovery greatly enhances our knowledge of Magna Carta in
> the century after its first issue, showing it still has many exciting secrets to
> give up. The National Archives was delighted to host Professors Carpenter and
> Vincent to share the forensic nature of their research into this extraordinary
> document.

Dr Paul Dryburgh, Principal Medieval Records Specialist at The National
Archives.

The National Archives’ 1225 Magna Carta from the Duchy of Lancaster collection
was on show at the Pipe Roll Society event, along with other unique documents
held at the archives, including the first official record of the charter copied
into a legal parchment roll.

Famously first issued by King John in 1215 as part of a peace agreement with his
barons, Magna Carta was reissued several times before the final 1300 version,
sometimes with clauses removed or re-added by scribes. A record of almost every
issue is also held at The National Archives.

Prof Carpenter said: “What you have at The National Archives is unique. No one
can study Magna Carta manuscripts without coming here.”

800 years after it was reissued by Henry III in exchange for a new tax, three
chapters of the 1225 version remain on the statute book: guaranteeing the right
to trial by jury, the freedom of the Church of England and the ancient liberties
of the City of London.

## Help us improve this website

[Complete our short survey (opens in new tab)](https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/DN07V0/?area=footer&source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalarchives.gov.uk%2Fmd%2Fnews%2Fmedieval-experts-reveal-how-they-found-harvards-magna-carta%2F)

---

[Back to top](#top)