Runnymede is a meadow on the banks of the River Thames in Surrey,
England. It is famous for being the place where King John sealed the
Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in history, on 15 June
1215. Today, Runnymede is a popular destination for visitors who want to
learn more about the history and significance of the Magna Carta. There
are several monuments and memorials here, as well as art installations
that relate to the site’s place in history.
The photographs on this webpage were taken during a visit here in early
January, 2024.
Above: The Last Survivors by Sara Holmes. Nearing completion, this triptych comprises three imposing figures which each stand at around 24ft tall. Sara Holmes is a British artist whose medium is predominantly willow. She was commissioned by the National Trust to design an installation around the themes of “Land & Freedom”.
Above: The Jurors, a sculpture by Hew Locke that features 12 bronze chairs decorated with symbols and images related to freedom and justice.
Above: The John F Kennedy Memorial, dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965 to honour the assassinated US president who was a supporter of civil rights and democracy.
The Magna Carta, or the Great Charter of Freedoms, was a document that limited the power of the king and granted rights to his subjects, especially the barons who rebelled against him. It contained 63 clauses that covered various aspects of law, justice, religion, taxation and feudal rights. The most famous clause stated that no free man should be arrested, imprisoned or deprived of his property without a fair trial by his peers or by the law of the land.
Above: The Magna Carta Memorial, erected by the American Bar Association in 1957 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the sealing of the charter.
The Magna Carta is considered to be the foundation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in England and beyond. It influenced many later documents, such as the US Declaration of Independence and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede because it was a neutral ground between the king's stronghold at Windsor Castle and the rebel barons' camp at Staines. It was also a traditional meeting place for councils and assemblies since ancient times.
Above: Writ in Water, a major architectural artwork by Mark Wallinger. Taking its name from the inscription on John Keats’ gravestone, which reads: ‘Here lies one whose name was writ in water’, the entrance leads left or right into a circular chamber, where a pool’s reflection shows wording from Clause 39 of Magna Carta and the fundamental principles of justice it embodies. In June 2019, Writ in Water received the RIBA National Award 2019, which recognised buildings that have made a significant contribution to architecture in the UK.
As seen above, the visit was marked by high water levels along the River Thames. Not shown here, and on the opposite bank of the river is the Ankerwycke Yew, an ancient tree that is said to be over 2,000 years old and therefore witnessed the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. For those wishing to visit Runnymede and explore its history and nature, there is more information on the National Trust website Here (external link).
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