Two experts on the Magna Carta, Professor Nicholas Vincent and Sir Robert Worcester, share their enthusiasm and knowledge for the greatest constitutional document of our times, which has a special significance for Oxford. King John was born in Oxford while the Bodleian Library holds four of the original 13th-century manuscripts. The Gloucester 1217 Magna Carta will be on display at the Bodleian’s Marks of Genius exhibition during the festival.

This year is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, which provided the basis for legal and political systems around the world. Its story is told in Magna Carta: Foundation of Freedom 1215-2015, a series of reflections by experts from across the world edited by Vincent.

Vincent is professor of medieval history at the University of East Anglia, author of Magna Carta:  A Very Short Introduction and historical adviser to the British Library’s forthcoming Magna Carta exhibition. Worcester, founder of the MORI polling organisation and a member of and contributor to many voluntary organisations, is chair of the Magna Carta 800th anniversary committee. The event is chaired by Bodley Librarian Richard Ovenden.