Overview

Historical notes of the signing of the Magna Carta. We now have the opportunity of looking at history and see what the Magna Carta was all about. King John of England was heavily involved in wars against France during the late eleven hundreds and was extorting a lot of money from the Barons by setting high taxes on them and by forcing fines, and seizing estates to get the income needed to fight these wars. In turn, the Barons became very oppressive in the way they collected taxes off the people of England as they were determined to keep their powers and wealth gained from lands that they held on behalf of the crown. Being members of the Aristocracy they were very wealthy, usually born into power and influence and determined to hang on to their wealth, as they leased land from the king, which was known as Manors, and they had complete control of the land, setting their own taxes. It was a time of the greedy fighting the greedy, with the common man sadly loosing out all the time, a complete waste of time, money, power and lives, as both sides fought for their own selfish benefits. King Johns father was King Henry 11, and his mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine. She had married King Louse V11 of France, and became the Queen of France from 1137 to 1152, one of the most powerful and wealthy women in Western Europe of her time, but her marriage was annulled on 21st March 1152. A determined woman, she quickly married King Henry 11 in 1154, and they had five sons and 3 daughters, her youngest would become King John of England. She died in 1204, having turned against her husband, King Henry 11. King John signed this Magna Carta on 15th June 1215, but he or his Barons had no intention of keeping to its agreement, and so the Magna Carta did not even last a year before it was finished, and other charters followed over the next few years, which resulted in the first Barons war of 1215-1217. Thus a civil war in England broke out when rebellious manor landowners waged war against King John, as even though he had been forced to sign this charter, he refused to accept and abide by its rulings, so the powerful Barons who could not stand Johns failings and leadership, put through this charter to reduce the power of the King, with clauses that reduced the Kings authority and allowed Barons to override the Kings demands. Today, not one of the charters decisions stand, all have been changed or done away with over the years, even though it is claimed that this led to our modern day way of dealing with rights of the people rich or poor. ==================================================================== OUR JOURNEY TO SEE THE MAGNA CARTA MONUMENT Driving along the A308 towards Windsor Castle you will pass through Egham and the meadows of Runnymede of which we may have heard about in our history lessons, and this is the area of the historical account of the drawing up of the charter known to us as Magna Carta. Arriving at the large island of the A308 you will see the sign board telling us we have arrived at Runnymede, and just by the traffic lights two small buildings on each side of the main A308, known as “Piers” (photo 1) have inscriptions on them showing that on 15th June 1215, the Great charter (Magna Carta) was signed in an agreement between King John and many Barons, in an attempt to offer protection against the crown taking to much money off the Barons for use in the wars against France in the 12th/13th century. It is here at these traffic lights that we shall return to at the end of this trip, turning into the carpark for our visit to the Runnymede Thames hotel, for a quick drink. (REVIEWED NEXT) Runnymede is an area of meadows that run alongside the river Thames, in the county of Surrey, in an undulating vale with hillsides of small woodland, pools and meadows that dominate the scenery of a flood plain around Windsor and Egham (photo 2) is a car park you will pass as driving along, over to the right, and offers a nice walk along the Thames on well laid out paths, but as all the paths you can ride along, they will be wet after rain, and difficult for wheelchairs and perhaps for small scooters to move over, bear this in mind. From this car park, from its main entrance, you can cross the A308 and take a path, slightly over to the left, and cut across the meadows (photo 3) and up towards the hills, a pleasant but long ride can then be taken with your wheelchair. Nearer the far end of the drive today, the hills are closer (photo 4) but nowhere can you see the monument as you drive along, it will only be possible to see the Magna Carta monument (photo 5) if you follow the paths up the hills, but it is quite a ride, but you will pass other monuments and museums that have been placed here. As you reach the end of the A308 Runnymede drive, you will pass two more Piers Ahead (photo 6) but you can turn off left just beforehand for another car park (with charges) and from there you can read the inscriptions for these piers (photo 7). You will also find a small cafe here, handy if you require a drink or toilets. However, we recommend you return along the A308 and Back towards the other Piers to then turn left into the car park for the Runnymede Thames hotel, far more comfortable, with views over the Thames as well. (YOU MAY READ OUR REVIEW FOR RUNNYMEDE THAMES HOTEL NEXT)

Transport & Parking

Three car parks are available on the A308 that will help you enjoy your visit to Runnymead. All have charges of course, with disabled bays available for your use.

Access

If you enjoy the countryside, then Runnymead has paths that will allow you access across the meadows to see the many museums that are here, including the Magna Carta monument, but bear in mind these paths are dirt tracks and will be difficult if wet for wheelchairs.

Toilets

Toilets are available at the cafe at far end of A308, but much better at Runnymede Thames hotel.

Staff

Photos