About The Trust

Objectives

The Magna Carta Trust was established in 2021 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to replace the previous chartered Trust that was founded in 1957. The modern structure allows the Magna Carta Trust more flexibility in how it operates and achieves its ambitions.


The Magna Carta Trust works to educate the public, especially young people, about the history and contemporary relevance of Magna Carta. It works to explain how Magna Carta is one of the most important British exports through the Trust's links with those organisations and institutions that promote Magna Carta values in the UK and internationally.


In particular, the Trust see its role as to perpetuate of the principles of Magna Carta worldwide. These principles being:

  • Rule of law

  • Human rights

  • Democracy

  • Access to justice



History

In October 1956 senior representatives from the judiciary, church, various county and district councils, the English Speaking Union, The Pilgrims of Great Britain, The Royal Empire Society, The Victoria League, The Overseas League, The National Trust and all the High Commissioners came together to plan the Magna Carta Trust as successor to the Magna Carta Society.

The meeting had before them a letter from the then Prime Minister (The Rt. Hon. Sir Anthony Eden, KG, MC, MP) capturing the significance of the new Trust’s aims:

“I am glad to have this opportunity to send a message to the inaugural meeting of the Magna Carta Trust.

The 15 June 1215 is rightly regarded as one of the most notable days in the history of the world. Those who were at Runnymede that day could not know the consequences that were to flow from their proceedings. The granting of Magna Carta marked the road to individual freedom, to Parliamentary democracy and to the supremacy of the law. The principles of Magna Carta, developed over the centuries by the Common Law, are the heritage now, not only of those who live in these Islands, but in countless millions of all races and creeds throughout the world.

It is most fitting that a Trust should be formed to commemorate so great a moment in history, and I send my best wishes for your success.”

Lord Evershed (the Master of the Rolls) was the Trust’s first chairman and the original trustees were:

· The Chairman of the Pilgrims of Great Britain

· The Chairman of the English Speaking Union of the Commonwealth

· The Chairman of the Joint Empire Societies Conference (now Royal Commonwealth Society)

· The Rt. Hon the Lord Mayor of the City of London

· The Rt. Worshipful the Mayor of the City of St. Albans

· The Rt. Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of St. Edmundsbury

· The Chairman of the Urban District Council of Egham (now Mayor of Runnymede Borough Council)

The Trust was central to the creation, and subsequent upkeep, of a memorial to mark Magna Carta at Runnymede. A lease of land at the Runnymede Meadows was put in hand and the great generosity of the American Bar Association, the Dulverton Trust, and The Pilgrim Trust saw preparation of the site and the commissioning of the architect, Sir Edward Maufe, to create a memorial on the gentle slopes of Cooper’s Hill overlooking the Runnymede Meadow.

Over the years the Trust has also promoted triennial celebrations rotating amongst the give “Charter Towns” (City of Canterbury, City of London, Runnymede Borough, City of St. Albans and Borough of St. Edmundsbury). The most significant events and activities were organised to commemorate 800 years of the sealing of Magna Carta in 2015. The Trust established a special committee, chaired by Sir Robert Worcester. The legacy website is available here.


In 2021, Trustees agreed to set-up a new Magna Carta Trust as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to reflect modern charity governance.


Trustees

The current Trustees are:


  • Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL

  • Paul Double

  • Diane Simpson

  • Paula Redway

  • Edward Horton

  • Margaret Charlesworth

  • Lewis Neilsen Jr