The water-meadow at Runnymede near Windsor is the location where, in 1215, King John sealed the Magna Carta or Great Charter. The charter indicates Runnymede by name.
The Magna Carta had an impact on common and constitutional law as well as political representation; and also the development of Parliament.
Runnymede's association with the ideals of democracy, the limiting of power, equality, and freedom under the law, has resulted in the building of monuments in the location.
In 1929 the land was donated to the National Trust by the American-born widow Cara Rogers Broughton in memory of her husband Urban Hanlon Broughton.
Sir Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to design a memorial to him consisting of lodges and piers at the west (Windsor) end with kiosks at the east end.
Magna Carta Memorial
Situated in a grassed enclosure on the lower slopes of Cooper's Hill, this memorial is of a domed classical style, containing a pillar of English granite on which is inscribed "To commemorate Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom under Law".
The memorial was created by the American Bar Association (ABA) to a design by Sir Edward Maufe, architect of Guildford Cathedral. The memorial was unveiled on 18 July 1957 at a ceremony attended by American and English lawyers.
Since 1957 representatives of the ABA have visited and rededicated the Memorial renewing pledges to the Great Charter.
The ABA will be meeting at Runnymede this year on the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the original charter.
The ABA will be meeting at Runnymede this year on the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the original charter.
John F. Kennedy Memorial
The British memorial to the assassinated President Kennedy (22nd November 1963) was jointly dedicated in May 1965, by Queen Elizabeth II and Jacqueline Kennedy, prior to a reception for the Kennedy family at nearby Windsor Castle.
The memorial consists of a garden and Portland stone memorial tablet inscribed with the famous quote from his Inaugural Address:
“Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
“Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
The area of ground on which the memorial is situated was given as a gift to the United States of America by the people of Britain.
Air Forces Memorial
At the top of Cooper’s Hill is the Air Forces Memorial, also designed by Sir Edward Maufe, which commemorates the men and women of the Allied Air Forces who died during the Second World War. The names of the 20,456 airmen who have no known grave are recorded.
Runnymede can be included in a visit to Windsor Castle - contact me for details.
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