Million-Dollar Manuscript in Cumbria Verified as Original 13th Century Magna Carta

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,931 Million - Dollar Manuscript in Cumbria Verified as Original 13th Century Magna Carta , ' Priceless ' British Historical Artifact Worth Millions of Pounds . 2 00:00:09,931 --> 00:00:13,080 A Rare and Priceless Piece of History : The Authentic Magna Carta 3 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:20,824 The discovery of an extremely rare and valuable piece of history has left historians and scholars absolutely astonished . 4 00:00:21,824 --> 00:00:31,459 A manuscript once thought to be part of an unofficial copy of the Magna Carta is now believed to be a genuine artifact from British history , dating back to 1300 AD . 5 00:00:32,459 --> 00:00:40,547 This incredible relic was acquired by Harvard Law School in 1946 for just $ 27.50 , and it has been safely filed in their library ever since . 6 00:00:41,547 --> 00:00:53,421 The document was verified as an original Magna Carta by two medieval history professors , Prof. David Carpenter from King 's Col. lege London , and Prof. Nicholas Vincent of the University of East Anglia . 7 00:00:54,421 --> 00:01:02,189 The Magna Carta is a royal charter that established the freedoms and rights of subjects and placed the Crown under the authority of law . 8 00:01:03,189 --> 00:01:08,333 It was first agreed to by King John in 1215 and was reissued by successive monarchs until 1300 . 9 00:01:09,333 --> 00:01:18,200 The document has played a significant role in shaping the concept of constitutional law and remains one of the most important documents in world history . 10 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:29,475 The discovery of this authentic version of the Magna Carta is believed to be worth millions of pounds , with estimates suggesting it could fetch up to $ 21 million at auction . 11 00:01:30,475 --> 00:01:43,085 The document 's journey to America involves the Lowthers , one of the oldest arms - bearing families in the country , and eventually came into the possession of Thomas Clarkson , a leading abolitionist of the 1780s . 12 00:01:44,085 --> 00:01:52,621 Academics used advanced imaging techniques , including ultraviolet light and spectral imaging , to examine the document and verify its authenticity . 13 00:01:53,621 --> 00:02:02,029 The handwriting and dimensions were consistent with those of the six previously known 1300 originals , providing crucial proof of its genuineness . 14 00:02:03,029 --> 00:02:11,831 This remarkable discovery highlights the importance of preserving our historical heritage and sheds new light on this pivotal moment in British history . 15 00:02:12,831 --> 00:02:19,383 The existence of 200 original Magna Cartas is believed , but only 24 survive today , with most being found in the UK . 16 00:02:20,383 --> 00:02:26,295 Two are housed in Washington DC 's National Archives , and one in Parliament House in Canberra , Australia . 17 00:02:27,295 --> 00:02:35,575 The discovery of this authentic version serves as a reminder of the significance of this document and its enduring impact on constitutional law . 18 00:02:36,575 --> 00:02:46,146 The incredible story of the Magna Carta 's journey to America is one of intrigue and discovery , highlighting the importance of academic research and collaboration . 19 00:02:47,146 --> 00:02:59,789 As we continue to learn more about our shared history , it becomes clear that the preservation of these documents is crucial for understanding the complexities of the past and their ongoing impact on our present .