News 2012

January 2012

We are pleased to announce the 2012 Annual Dinner for Saturday, April 14, 202 at the University Club, Washington, DC. Sir Robert M. Worcester, KBE, DL, will be the speaker at our dinner on the subject: “Magna Carta: Foundation of Liberty, Protector of Democracy” . Professor Sir Robert M. Worcester, KBE, DL chairs the Magna Carta 2015 800th Anniversary Committee. Link to Response Form.

We are also please to announce a luncheon on Friday, April 13, 2012 in Philadelphia to meet Sir Robert Worcester.

News 2011

December 2011

We are adding video to our site. Dean Alec Knight in November of 2004 provides some perspective on the Virginia Beach Exhibit of 2007. The video was taken at the visitors center at the Tower of London. Video

London October 2011

Our Society  is now included as a member of the Magna Carta Trust, providing two Trustees, Chancellor Lewis L. Neilson, Jr. and Vice-Chancellor. Professor Henry Conrad Wurts. The 800th Anniversary Committee has a new website www.magnacarta800th.com 

We met with Canon Rex Davis who was the SubDean of Lincoln Cathedral for 27 years until 2003 who provided some very interesting perspective on the travels of the Lincoln Magna Charta. Video.

 Philadelphia October 2011

Focusing on our own history, we have added a page for information about Memorable Meetings of our Society. There are 56 meetings listed up to April 17, 1956 and many of the talks were printed and circulated to the membership. We are in the process of scanning that information.

Please refer to the 2010 News Page for additional information about the Launch Ceremony of the 800th Celebration

Philadelphia PA July 2011

July 25, 2011 - Chancellor Nelison planned a meeting in Philadelphia with Roberta I Shaffer, Law Librarian of Congress, Robert Newlen, Assistant Law Librarian for Collections, Outreach and Services, Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director, Free Library of Philadelphia, and Janine Pollock, Head, Rare Book Department, Free Library of Philadelphia.

There is additional information including pictures from 1939 Link

June Newsletter - We sent an Electronic Newsletter

England June 2011

The Chancellors June 2011 Trip to England began on Thursday June 9 at Lincoln. Thursday evening I met with Dr Nicholas Bennett, Vice-Chancellor and Librarian, Lincoln Cathedral Library, and Carol Bennett, Lincoln Cathedral Education Officer. I asked about the archives of the Cathedral concerning the travels of the Lincoln Copy of the Magna Carta and they suggested that I meet with Linda Tilney which I did Friday afternoon. After the meeting I attended evensong at the Cathedral where the results of the election of a new Bishop were announced. After the service the Magna Carta Lecture. "Magna Carta and the Rule of Law"  [view video-S] [view text] was presented by Lord McNally, Minister of State for Justice and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, followed by a reception at the Deanery. I had a chance to meet Phil Hamlyn Williams the new Chapter Clerk and Chief Executive of Lincoln Cathedral, .

On  Saturday Linda Tilney provided a 30 minute recording [view video-S] of her recollections of the Magna Carta travels and I took the afternoon train to London.

Please see additional information about the Exhibits Link

On Monday, by kind permission of Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, Mrs Eleanor Laing MP, invited me to a reception to launch The All Party Parliamentary Group on the Magna Carta, in the Speaker Apartments, House of Commons. We were welcomed by Rt Hon John Bercow MP and Mrs. Eleanor Laing MP followed by an explanation of the aspirations of the 800th Anniversary Committee by Sir Robert Worcester KBE, DL. [view video-S]

Tuesday evening there was a Choral Evensong In Celebration of Magna Carta at the Temple Church, The Reverend Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of the Temple, presiding,  [view video-S] followed by a dinner at the Inner Temple. The speaker following dinner was Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Master of the Rolls and Chairman of the Magna Carta Trust. [view video-S]

Thursday afternoon the 800th Anniversary Committee met at Royal Holloway followed by seventh annual Royal Holloway lecture. The lecture was presented by TheRt Hon Lady Justice Arden DBE, entitled "Magna Carta and the Judges - realizing the vision".  [view video of lecture-S] [view text] [view video of dinner-S]

Washington DC April 2011

April 16, 2011 - The 2011 DC Reception and Dinner was held Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the University Club. We reviewed plans fo the 800th Ceolebration and enjoyed remarks from a representative of Lincoln Cathedral, Allison White. Link

April 14, 2011 - The Chancellor met with and recorded a brief presentation by Roberta Shaffer, Law Librarian of Congress, explaining plans for the 800th Anniversary Celebration Link