MAGNA CARTA – THE FOUNDATION OF FREEDOM, 1215 – 2015
By Nicholas Vincent – Third Millenium Publishing, London – 192 pages
Probably the first coffee table book on the topic of Magna Carta. Professor Vincent has assembled a lavishly illustrated work on the subject to date using just about every document available. Foreword by Rt Hon Lord Dyson, Master of the Rolls and Chairman of the Magna Carta Trust. The book begins with a chapter on the Anglo-Saxon law codes before 1215 and continues chronologically through nine chapters to conclude with the influence of Magna Carta in the 21st century. Available from Amazon £41.87 (RRP £45)
RUNNYMEDE – A PICTORIAL HISTORY
By Richard Williams – Egham-by-Runnymede Historical Society – 64 pages
This book in A4 landscape format is divided into eight parts, including one on Magna Carta (9 pages) which shows colour images of the shields associated with the 25 barons who met with King John, and a reproduction of the Magna Carta document held by the British Library.
Available from Egham Museum £6:50 (open Tue, Thu, Sat 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-4:30pm)
MAGNA CARTA 1215-2015, LONDON’S TEMPLE AND THE ROAD TO THE RULE OF LAW
By Robin Griffith-Jones – Pitkin and The History Press– available second hand
Robin Griffith-Jones is the Master of Temple Church – his booklet gives a greater insight into the role of the church led by Archbishop Stephen Langton in writing Magna Carta and reconciling the King and his barons. The booklet is out of print but second hand copies are available from Amazon and other distributors.