Harvard believed it possessed a lower-priced replica of the Magna Carta. However, it was found to be an exceptionally uncommon, valuable version instead.
GOING DEEP WITH HARVARD'S OLD CHARACTER:
A HIDDEN TREASURE OR A SLEEPING GIANT?
Lemme tell ya 'bout a juicy piece of history that's been right under Harvard University's nose for decades - a Magna Motherfuckin' Carta! Yeah, you heard that right - Harvard's been boastin' about havin' a copy of this bad boy, but it ain't no cheap, run-of-the-mill replica. No sir, they got themselves a rare, valuable version from 1300, issued by the reignin' King Edward I of England.
Now, if you don't know your history, let me fill you in. The Magna Carta established in 1215 the principle that the king is subject to law, and it's formed the basis of constitutions globally. There are four originals from 1215, our boy Harvard thought he had one of those, but guess what? They were wrong! They actually got their hands on a rare 1300 version, making it one of only seven copies known to exist.
Two scholars, David Carpenter (a professor at King's College London) and Nicholas Vincent (a professor at the University of East Anglia), did some deep diggin' into it and yep, you guessed it, Harvard's tattered, faded document matches up with the other six copies discovered from 1300. They compared it with images using ultraviolet light and spectral imaging to identify every tiny detail, like the capital 'E' at the start of 'Edwardus,' which helped them confirm its authenticity.
If you're gamblin', you might be wonderin' just how much this piece of paper is worth. Well, it ain't your typical using-it-to-wrap-fish kinda paper. Carpenter reckons it's valued at millions of dollars. But don't start dyin' your pants just yet, Harvard ain't sellin' it anytime soon.
The next mystery is_... turnovers, baby!_ That's where the fun begins. The doc has some serious miles under its belt, and the research fell upon Nicholas Vincent to trace its roots. It turns out the library bought it in 1946 from a London book dealer for $27.50 - yep, you read that right! But here's the kicker - it was wrongly dated as being made in 1327!
Vincent managed to find that the document was sent to a British auction house in 1945 by none other than a World War I flying ace! The war hero, Forster Maynard, inherited the archives from Thomas and John Clarkson, who were leaders in the fight against slavery. One of 'em, Thomas Clarkson, even became friends with William Lowther, the hereditary lord of the manor of Appleby, England. Coulda sworn you were into history, huh?
Now, here's the twist - Vincent is hopin' to find some documentation showing the Magna Carta was given to Thomas Clarkson. If he manages to find that smoking gun, it'd confirm that the Harvard version is the Appleby Magna Carta, a borough in Westmorland, England.
So that's the lowdown on Harvard's valuable hidden gem. These days, it's as relevant as ever, especially as Harvard's pisin' matches with the Trump administration over the federal government's power on campus. And don't ya just love how history has a way of repeatin' itself? This document played a huge role in the foundation of the United States, from the Declaration of Independence to the adoption of the Bill of Rights. It's still inspiring a new generation to value individual liberty and self-governance. Keep it lit, folks!
Fun Fact: In 1215, King John signed the Magna Carta, limiting the power of the monarch. Do you know what happened if King John didn't sign the Magna Carta? The barons threatened to invade London and strip him of his crown! Talk about making your voice heard!
- The Magna Carta, a crucial historical document from 1215, recently drew attention due to a discovery by two scholars, as Harvard University was found to possess a rare 1300 version, one of only seven known to exist.
- This finding comes at an interesting time, as Harvard faces political challenges with the Trump administration over campus governance, highlighting the Magna Carta's enduring relevance in issues related to government and politics, both nationally and internationally.
