EDMONTON — Edmontonians will be given the chance to see one of the most historical documents in the world. The Magna Carta is on display at the Borealis Gallery in Alberta’s Federal Building.
The exhibit marks the 800th anniversary of when King John reluctantly placed his seal on the document, assuring no one, not even the King of England was above the law. Since then, it’s become the framework for democracy in Canada and around the world.
“If (we) want to move forward, it’s important to know where we have been,” said Legislative Assembly Speaker Robert Wanner, who called the location of the exhibit, on the legislative grounds, a symbol.
“Our roots in a historical document like this guide us in our search for democracy.”
READ MORE: Alberta law students take Magna Carta discussion online
In history, it’s hard to find a document that has made as big of an impact as the Magna Carta. In order to preserve it, the parchment is kept in specific conditions.
Humidity, light, and temperature are monitored at all times, and there are strict rules when it comes to photographing the image.
For the past four years, Len and Suzy Rodness have been working to bring the exhibit to Canada. The Toronto couple was approached by a friend for the massive undertaking of moving the document out of the United Kingdom for the first time in history.
“It is quite a rare opportunity,” said Len. “Durham Cathedral has three copies of the Magna Carta, not one of them has left the doors of Durham Cathedral.”
Until now.
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The Alberta Legislature is the last of four stops in Canada for exhibit. the other cities include Ottawa, Winnipeg and Toronto.
Magna Carta: Law, Liberty & Legacy is a free interactive exhibit at the Federal Building on the legislative grounds from Nov. 23 to Dec. 29.
Key principles of the Magna Carta:
- Nobody is above the law of the land: equal justice at all levels of society;
- All are entitled to freedom from unlawful detention without cause or evidence;
- Everyone has the right to trial by jury;
- A widow could not be forced to marry and give up her property- a major first step in women’s rights.
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