Ms. Magna Carta is thrilled to be holding two events this month featuring Dr. Carolyn Harris. On November 26th, Dr. Harris will be providing a lecture on her book. This lecture is sponsored by the Centre for Constitutional Studies. Dr. Harris will also be the feature speaker at an event at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Visitor Centre. In anticipation of Dr. Harris' trip to Edmonton, check out the interview below to find out her view on Magna Carta, its impacts over the ages, and villainous monarchs!
Why did you choose Magna Carta as the topic for your first book?
My PhD research examined the English Civil Wars and French Revolution, two events informed by the principles of Magna Carta. I had the pleasure of meeting Suzy Rodness, co-chair of Magna Carta Canada at a lecture I gave at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. I began writing articles about a diverse range of topics related to King John and Magna Carta for the Magna Carta Canada website in 2013. In 2014, I was asked to write Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada, the book that complements the 2015 Magna Carta, Law, Liberty and Legacy exhibition.
King John placed his seal on Magna Carta in 1215. From a historian's perspective, what was the impact of this on those he ruled over?
The immediate impact of Magna Carta was the outbreak of the 1st Barons' War as King John refused to honour the terms of Magna Carta and his rebel barons sought an alternate claimant to the throne to replace him. King John's death in 1216 and the long minority of his son Henry III allowed for the reissue of Magna Carta and the development of The Charter of the Forest. In the thirteenth century, the legal rights of Magna Carta applied only to free men but the Six Statutes of the mid-fourteenth century expanded Magna Carta's provisions to men of all social backgrounds. Women were explicitly covered by the legal provisions of Magna Carta in the mid-fifteenth century.
King John is remembered in a very negative light. In your opinion, is he the most villainous monarch? If not, who is?
King John's grandson, King Edward I was a better general and statesman than John and he reissued Magna Carta over the course of his reign, including the 1300 Magna Carta, which is on display in the exhibition. However, Edward I behaved in an extremely ruthless manner over the course of his reign and harshly punished those who opposed him. Edward I conquered Wales, invaded Scotland and expelled England's Jewish community. Edward I was the first English monarch to have his adversaries - such as Scottish War of Independence leader William Wallace - executed by hanging, drawing and quartering. Robert the Bruce's sister Mary and supporter Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan were captured by the English forces and imprisoned in outdoor cages at the King's command. Edward I's tomb bears the inscription "Here is Edward I, Hammer of the Scots."
Recent Comments