This year marks the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. With the initial planning of the historic document being premeditated in St Albans Abbey in 1213, Verulamium Park and its surroundings will play host to the first of a series of special events commemorating the signing of the original democratic document of its kind all the way back in 1215.

The Magna Carta Medieval Festival will take place over Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 in Verulamium Park and will hold many exciting events that all the family can enjoy.

Organised by the St Albans City Council and the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Committee, who are coordinating events across the UK and internationally, activities on offer include equestrian, combat and archery displays, and a live action re-enactment of the battle between King John and the barons whose dispute lead to the signing of the manuscript.

Alongside the festival, Verlamium Museum will be hosting a special exhibition depicting the events leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta. Entitled The Magna Carta 1213: The Journey Starts Here, the display will be held through to September 15, and will go into detail about how King John’s disagreement with three of the barons lead to a rebellion with the eventual outcome being the drafting of the famous document.

Other attractions include a workshop which asks you to recreate the Magna Carta in the fashion of the popular Japanese comic style Manga with professional artists, various concerts in the cathedral itself involving performances from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a keynote speech on The New British Constitution by Vernon Bogdandor, Professor of Government at Kings College London.

The Abbey will also have on display the actual Magna Carta script from August 3 to 29.

On loan from Lincoln Cathedral, it will be the first time ever that it will have been on display in St Albans, and truly highlights the importance that the city played in the drafting of the Magna Carta when it was eventually signed in Runnymede, Surrey in 1215.

Commenting on the St Albans Magna Carta Festival, Councillor Julian Daly, Leader of St Albans City & District Council, says: “Local people are proud of the role St Albans played in setting events in motion for the sealing of the Magna Carta 800 years ago. I hope that the whole community will embrace this opportunity to commemorate our city’s unique role in the history of the development of fundamental human rights. We expect to welcome visitors from around the world and to lay on a weekend to remember.”

  • Magna Carta Week takes place at various venues around St Albans throughout August. Details: magnacarta800th.com