Three rare Magna Cartas are going on display at Durham Cathedral in order to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue that is in the cathedral’s collection.

Oh, my! What a show ‘Magna Carta and the North’ is. This magnificent exhibition has not one, but three versions of Magna Carta including the only surviving 1216 Magna Carta, along with issues from 1225 and 1300. Also showing are three Forest Charters (these incredibly important documents granted access to land and natural resources). Magna Carta (or the ‘Great Charter’) of course has been described as the most famous document in English history and is the very cornerstone of modern democracy. It was the first document that put into writing that the king and his government were not above the law (maybe Donald Trump should give it a read…). To celebrate the anniversary and the display, the cathedral is also planning to host temporary installations and community-focused artworks throughout the cathedral that will tell the story of these documents that are still a powerful symbol of social justice in the world today. JL

Magna Carta and the North, 11 July-2 November, Durham Cathedral. More info: durhamcathedral.co.uk