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Tertiary sourceDocument1911

Magna Carta entry, Encyclopaedia Britannica 1911

Arthur William Holland · 1911

A long 1911 reference article explaining the history, content and later reputation of Magna Carta.

An encyclopedia entry explaining Magna Carta's history and its growing legendary status.

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About this source

What it is

This is an entry on Magna Carta written by Arthur William Holland for the 1911 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. It explains how the charter was granted at Runnymede in 1215 by King John to the English people, and traces how its reputation grew over later centuries.

Why it matters

The article shows how Magna Carta was understood by educated readers in the early 20th century. It notes that the charter's fame was 'enormously magnified' in later ages, especially during disputes between the Stuart kings and Parliament, when it became a symbol of English liberty.

Look closer

  • Why does the author say Magna Carta's importance was 'magnified' later on?
  • What does the article say caused the original granting of the charter in 1215?
  • How might an encyclopedia written in 1911 differ from one written today?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Magna Carta on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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