Harvard University has thought it had cheap copies for decades Magna Carta In its collection, it purchased stained and faded documents for less than $30.

But two researchers concluded that it had something more valuable - Edward I, the King of England.

What is Magna Carta?

The original Magna Carta established the principle that the king was bound by law in 1215 and formed the foundation of the constitution on a global scale. The original copy had four copies, and until now, it is believed that only six of the 1300 editions were found.

"My reaction was surprising, and in a sense, I should have managed to find a Magna Carpenter, a professor of medieval history at King's College London." In December 2023, he was searching the Harvard Law School library website when he found the digitized file.

"First, I found one of the rarest documents and one of the most important documents in the history of the world's constitution," Carpenter said. "But second, of course, Harvard has been sitting on it for years without realizing what it is."

Carpenter collaborated with Nicholas Vincent, a professor of medieval history at the University of East Anglia in the UK to confirm the authenticity of Harvard documents.

Comparing it with the other six copies of the 1300, Carpenter found a size match. He and Vincent then turned to Harvard librarians who were created using UV and spectral imaging. This technology helps scholars view detailed information about faded documents that are not visible to the human eye.

This allows them to compare word by word, as well as handwriting, which includes the beginning of “Edwards”, which includes a large capital “e” and the elongated letters in the first line.

After the original version of 1215 printed by King John, five more versions were written over the next few decades - until 1300, the last time the complete document was listed and authorized by the King's Seal.

Carpenter said the 1300 version of Magna Carta is different from a series of small ways before, and changes can be found in each. ”

Carpenter said Harvard had to meet a high-end bar to prove its authenticity, which was "bright color."

The carpenter estimated that the change for its huge copy of the debris was worth millions of dollars, although Harvard had no plans to sell it. The 1297 version of Magna Carta was sold at auction for $21.3 million in 2007.

Another mystery behind the document is the journey to Harvard.

The task was left to Vincent, who was able to trace it all the way back to the former parliamentary borough in Westmorland, England.

Magna Carta copy was purchased in 1946

The Harvard Law School Library purchased a copy from a book dealer in London in 1946 for $27.50. At that time, its history was made in 1327.

Vincent determined that the document was sent to the British auction house by World War I ace in 1945, and he also played the role of defending Malta in World War II. War hero Forster Maynard inherited the archives of Thomas and John Clarkson, who were campaigners against the slave trade. One of them was Thomas Clarkson, who became friends with William Lowther, the hereditary king of Appleby estate, who probably gave it to Clarkson.

"There are a series of link chains out there, but there is no clear evidence that this is Appleby Magna Carta. But in my opinion, it's likely." He said he wanted to find a letter or other document showing that Magna Carta had been handed over to Thomas Clarkson.

Vincent and Carpenter plan to visit Harvard in June to witness their Magna Carta - they say the document is as relevant as ever when Harvard clashes with the Trump administration, because of how much power the federal government should have against its leadership, admissions and activism authority.

"It was at the moment when Harvard was a private institution that it seemed like he wanted to tell Harvard what to do," Vincent said.

It is also an opportunity for a new generation to understand the Magna Carta, which played a role in the establishment of the United States - from the Declaration of Independence to the adoption of the Human Rights Act. Seventeen states incorporated all aspects of it into their laws.

"We think the law library can come to understand the foundations of democracy," said Amanda Watson, assistant dean of library and information services at Harvard Law School.

“It is exciting to think that Magna Carta can inspire a new generation to think about personal freedom, what that means and what autonomy means.”