In brief
Academics have discovered that a long-unnoticed manuscript in Harvard Law School's collection is, in fact, a rare original of the Magna Carta, significantly reshaping its historical value.
The article text:In an unexpected revelation for Harvard Law School, a manuscript, acquired for $27.50 post-World War II, has been identified as an original version of the Magna Carta from 1300. Previously believed to be merely a copy, this faint, water-stained document has been hidden in the library since 1946, receiving scant attention until recently.Two British scholars stumbled upon the manuscript, with one, David Carpenter, a medieval history professor at King’s College London, expressing his astonishment at the finding. "I never in all my life expected to discover a Magna Carta,” he remarked about his December 2023 discovery. This particular version is deemed one of only seven surviving documents from that era, highlighting its rarity.The financial implications of this manuscript are staggering; though it cost under $30 when purchased, the document's true worth is difficult to ascertain. For context, a 710-year-old Magna Carta sold for a whopping $21.3 million in 2007. To validate its authenticity, experts employed ultraviolet light photography and spectral imaging techniques, revealing details invisible to the naked eye. Nicholas Vincent, a medieval historian from the University of East Anglia, assisted in this authentication process and pointed out the significance of the Magna Carta's principles during a time when Harvard is under scrutiny by the current administration. The timing of this discovery brings added historical weight to the liberties enshrined in the Magna Carta, echoing challenges faced in contemporary governance.
