The Magna Carta Conference

The Magna Carta Conference took place 17-19 June, at King's College London and the British Library. It was a great success, with 30 speakers from across Europe and the USA presenting new research on the Charter and its world, and an audience of around 450 across the three days. 

Left to right: Gesine Oppitz-Trotman, Sophie Ambler and Janet Burton; Nicholas Vincent; Lindy Grant, Jinty Nelson and Levi Roach

The conference included, on the first evening, a reception at the Maughan Library in which the J.C. Holt Undergraduate Essay Prize was presented by Melvyn Bragg to joint winners Daniel Armstrong and Ian McDonald (who was unable to attend the prize-giving and received his award subsequently). The reception also saw the launch of the third addition of Holt's Magna Carta, edited by George Garnett and John Hudson. 

Top left: Daniel Power delivering a eulogy for J.C. Holt. Top right Daniel Power, Sophie Ambler, John Hudson, Claire Breay, Nicholas Vincent, Jean-Philippe Genet, David Carpenter, Hugh Doherty and George Garnett.
Bottom row (left to right), Daniel Armstrong; Sophie Ambler, Melvyn Bragg and Daniel Armstrong; Ian McDonald.

On the evening of 18, delegates were treated to a private viewing of the British Library's Magna Carta, Law, Liberty, Legacy, introduced by the exhibition's co-curator, and Magna Carta Project member, Claire Breay. 

Left to right: Björn Weiler, John Sabapathy and Martin Aurell; Claire Breay introducing the British Library exhibition, and Louise Wilkinson.

The third day of the conference was held at the British Library and was rounded off with an evening session exploring the European parallels to Magna Carta. 

Left to right: William Chester Jordan, Julie Barrau and John Maddicott; Alice Taylor, Julian Harrison and Peter Crooks

You can view the full album from the conference on the Magna Carta Project Facebook page. 

The Magna Carta Conference: booking now open

Booking has now opened for The Magna Carta Conference, a landmark event commemorating the 800^th anniversary of the Charter’s issue. Hosted by the The Magna Carta Project, it will be held 17-19 June 2015 at King’s College London and the British Library. Members of The Magna Carta Project will be joined by renowned scholars from across the globe to share major new discoveries and research on Magna Carta and its world, in conjunction with the British Library’s Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy exhibition. To be part of this momentous occasion, be sure to book your tickets via Eventbrite.  

The conference will cover the world of Magna Carta in unparalleled breadth and depth (you can view the whole conference programme on the Magna Carta Project website): from the Charter’s background and later use to its place in medieval law; from propaganda and political ideas in King John’s reign to kingship in medieval literature; from John’s military campaigns to the scribes of his court; and from the Charter’s continental and British context to its impact on society.  

There will also be a conference reception at KCL’s Maughan Library (spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment!), where the J. C. Holt Undergraduate Essay  Prize will be awarded by Melvyn Bragg, and a rare opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the British Library’s Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy exhibition, introduced by lead curator Claire Breay. Those attending day three of the conference are also being offered free entry to the British Library’s Early European Parallels to Magna Carta evening event (again, spaces are limited so book now to be sure of a place).  

Speakers will include: Nicholas Vincent, Jinty Nelson, Levi Roach, Björn Weiler, Martin Aurell, Janet Burton, Sophie Ambler, Anne Duggan, John Hudson, George Garnett, Hugh Doherty, Tessa Webber, Andrew Payne, Geoffrey French, Stephen Church, Daniel Power, Henry Summerson, David Crook, Paul Brand, Scott Waugh, Jean-Philippe Genet, Louise Wilkinson, Claire Breay, Marc Morris, John Gillingham, William Chester Jordan, John Maddicott, Alice Taylor, Peter Crooks, Nigel Saul and David Carpenter.