Harvard University has long believed it owned a mere facsimile of the Magna Carta, a tattered document acquired in 1946 for less than $30. However, researchers David Carpenter and Nicholas Vincent have determined that it is, in fact, a rare version from 1300, issued by King Edward I. This discovery is significant because the original Magna Carta established the principle that no one, including the king, is above the law, influencing constitutions worldwide.
Carpenter discovered the document while exploring the Harvard Law School Library’s website. He was amazed to find an unknown copy of such a crucial historical document. To confirm its authenticity, Carpenter and Vincent compared it with the other known copies from 1300, cross-referencing dimensions, handwriting, and text details using advanced imaging technology that reveals faded features.
The 1300 version of the Magna Carta includes variations from previous editions, reflecting historical changes. Carpenter estimates Harvard’s document could be worth millions, although the university has no plans to sell it. A similar 1297 version sold for over $21 million in 2007.
The document’s journey to Harvard traces back to the parliamentary borough of Appleby in England. It was sent to auction in 1945 by Forster Maynard, a World War I ace, who inherited it from abolitionist Thomas Clarkson’s family.
Carpenter and Vincent plan to visit Harvard to examine the document further. They emphasize its relevance today, especially amid Harvard’s current conflicts over authority with the federal government. This discovery offers a chance for younger generations to engage with the principles of individual liberty and self-governance, central tenets of democracy reflected in the U.S. legal system.
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