Learning a Lot About the Magna Carta at the British Library, London!

Though I enjoy learning about the culture, customs and the people of the countries where we visit, I do not normally visit a local library. But this time, my hubby insisted on going to the British Library, so I obliged and went along with him just to keep him company.

We took the tube and visited the British Library. It is a fairly modern building with lots of books, space for poeple to read, do their reserach and work on their computers like any other libraries we visited before. What really stood out for me was the Library's generous allocation of space for displays on various topics related to history, human rights and the environment. They were all very interesting and informative read and these were relevant social topics that should be addressed and be made aware of.

The reason for my hubby's instistence on visiting the British Library - to see the Magna Carta being displayed there. The Magna Carta - also known as the Great Charter, is one of the most famous documents in the world. I have heard of it many times being referred and quoted here and there. Not an enthusiastic student in history, I never had the interest to learn more about this document. But at the British Library, the displays and real objects added much interest to this subject and they piqued my curosity about this document.

"...The Magna Carta began as a practical solution to a political crisis for King John, who reigned from 1199 to 1216. John's reign was dominated by his prolonged struggle with the church, disastrous military campaigns in France and a rebellion by many English barrons. His extortionately heavy taxation and extreme disregard for justice led the barrons to seek a charter of liberties to defend themselves. In June 1215, negotiations at Runnymede culminated in the granting of Magna Carta which limited unjust and arbitrary behaviour by the king. It also established the prinicple that everyone was subject to the rule of law..." source - British Library display

I loved our visit to the British Museum as I learned so much about the Magna Carta and other topics such as the Proclamation of Emancipation issued during the American Civil War. Also on display was a calligrpahic portrait where the Proclamation was personified in President Lincoln encircled by 36 state seals sitting beneath the Great Seal of the USA.

The British Library is not just a library filled with books but a great storage house of tremendous wealth of knowledge of the past, present and the future ! There were so much on display and so much to see and learn! We could have spent a whole day there. If you are a curious person and love to learn, the British Library is definitely not to be missed while you're in London! Thank you to my hubby for taking me there! RT, British Library, London, UK 02162025