Harvard’s forgotten Magna Carta turns out to be real and rare

Harvard’s forgotten Magna Carta turns out to be real and rare

Harvard Law School has discovered that a manuscript it purchased in the 1930s for just $27.50 is, in fact, a genuine 1300 edition of the Magna Carta—one of only 25 known to still exist. For nearly a century, the document sat in a vault, presumed to be a reproduction, until two British medieval historians identified its authenticity in 2023, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The Magna Carta, originally issued in 1215 under King John of England, is considered one of the most influential documents in legal history. It established the principle that the monarch is subject to the law—a radical concept for its time—and inspired legal frameworks around the world, including the US Constitution. Over the next century, various English kings reissued updated versions of the document. The version in Harvard’s possession was signed during the reign of Edward I in the year 1300.

An accidental discovery by a historian online

The reclassification of the document began with a chance encounter online. David Carpenter, a medieval history professor at King’s College London, was researching surviving Magna Carta copies for an upcoming book when an image on Harvard Law School’s website caught his attention. The manuscript featured a capital “E” and the Latin name “Edwardus” in its opening lines—signs that it had been issued under Edward I.

“They seemed to have no awareness of what they had,” Carpenter said, noting that Harvard had listed it without recognizing its significance. He emailed a photo to fellow medievalist Nicholas Vincent of the University of East Anglia, who instantly recognised it. “There was just no question,” Vincent recalled. “You know damn well what that is.”

The two scholars quietly alerted Harvard and began building a case for the document’s authenticity. By spring 2024, Harvard authorised special imaging of the parchment, and its own experts began reviewing the findings.

A timely revelation amid political scrutiny

The revelation comes as Harvard is embroiled in a separate controversy with the Trump administration. The university has been accused of failing to address antisemitism on campus, prompting the administration to pull billions in federal funding and demand oversight over admissions, hiring, and governance. Harvard is now suing the government, alleging violations of its constitutional rights.

Though the timing appears pointed, the discovery was coincidental, Carpenter said. “It’s very timely,” he acknowledged, “but this is no prank, nor stunt.”

A priceless piece of legal history now secured

Having resided for decades within the confines of a Harvard vault, the newly authenticated Magna Carta has now been transferred to a more secure, undisclosed location, reflecting its newfound significance and potential value. Professor Zittrain refrained from speculating on the document's current market worth. However, the historical precedent of the 2007 auction, where a 1297 edition of the Magna Carta commanded a price of $21.3 million, offers a stark indication of the potential financial value of Harvard’s 1300 manuscript. That particular document, purchased by philanthropist David Rubenstein, is now on public display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., serving as a powerful reminder of the Magna Carta's enduring legacy.

Harvard University is currently in the process of deliberating whether to make its newly verified treasure accessible for public viewing. Regardless of the final decision, Professor Zittrain articulated the profound importance of the artifact, stating that it "offers a special and profound reminder of the ways in which the rule of law, and the societies and people it serves, has, in fits and starts, grown and strengthened."

The unexpected transformation of a seemingly ordinary $27.50 purchase into a genuine and historically significant Magna Carta represents a remarkable turn of events, adding a captivating chapter to Harvard’s rich history and further illuminating the enduring power of this foundational legal document.