June 5, 2015

Magna Carta at 800

This month marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. On June 15, 1215 King John of England added his seal to the Magna Carta, a document that is frequently cited as inspiring principles outlined in the U.S. and Wisconsin constitutions.

We have a number of library resources to share this month. Several books, such as the ABA's Magna Carta and the rule of law, examine its history in the context of our own legal documents. We also have a 1759 Blackstone treatise examining the Magna Carta which includes the text in original Latin with beautiful illustrations (pictured).



Stop by the library in mid-June to see our display of books about and related to the Magna Carta and view a framed duplication of the original document.

Library cardholders can log in to HeinOnline to search the English Reports collection, which dates back to 1220. Search for "Magna Carta" in the Early American Case Law collection to read older discussions of this historical document in Federal case law.

A search in HeinOnline's Law Journal Library for "magna carta" turns up thousands of matches with subjects ranging from prison law to environmental law.

Be sure to check out the British Library's translation from Latin to modern English of the original 1215 edition. The U.S. National Archives also includes research sources on their website, relating the Magna Carta to U.S. law.