This Monday marks the eight-hundredth anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta by King John. Though widely thought of as the result of a power struggle between monarch and barons, it emerges that the origins of the charter lie in theological ideas and the influence of senior clerics
Comedian tony Hancock has had a good year. East Cheam’s most famous son, who died 47 years ago, has been widely quoted on the importance of Magna Carta, whose eight-hundredth anniversary we are celebrating this year. Orating before a bemused jury in Twelve Angry Men, the episode of his television series Hancock’s Half Hour that parodied the altogether more weighty Henry Fonda movie 12 Angry Men, he passionately challenged them on the value of justice and mercy, drawing powerfully on England
11 June 2015, The Tablet
From sacred texts to secular rights
Get Instant Access
Continue Reading
Register for free to read this article in full
Subscribe for unlimited access
From just £30 quarterly
Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
The full weekly edition in print and digital including our 179 years archive.
PDF version to view on iPad, iPhone or computer.
Already a subscriber? Login