Paula Kitching Beyond the Magna Carta 800th anniversary – a toolkit for communities Paula Kitching pkitching@hotmail.com

June 1215 What we know: The Barons were unhappy King John was not popular June 1215 – King John seals the Magna Carta – which is a promise to limit his authority.

The repercussions of Magna Carta Moving forward it was the principles enshrined in Magna Carta that became important. The Golden passages that were used by later generations to develop an understanding of basic rights and the relationship between leaders and their subjects. However, the repercussions back in 1215 were still significant!

After Runnymede The events following Runnymede are less well known, as is the impact that the Magna Carta, the events leading to it and subsequent events had on the running of England, its people and its leaders.

The Battles and Sieges This is Barnard Castle in County Durham. In 2016 a siege took place here as a direct result of the conflict between John and the Baron’s of Magna Carta It is just one of many sites around the country that became embroiled with a battle for control and authority, that Magna Carta was part of The battles and sieges are just as much a part of the story as the ancient document.

Assisting local communities to understand their Magna Carta heritage There are 30-50 sites across England, Wales and the border areas with Scotland connected to the Magna Carta story through the conflict between King John and the Barons. We want to help local communities to find out about, present and to connect to that heritage.

A tool kit for communities We are developing a toolkit – a bank of materials ‘How to’ that will be on website and elsewhere to download that will enable communities/groups and individuals across the UK to explore their local history in relation to Magna Carta. Communities in places such as Richmond, North Yorkshire, that was another siege town, but many living there will not know about it.

What will the tool kit contain? How to create and develop a local Magna Carta/Battlefields Trust group acquiring and using skills for research and investigation research methods and approaches how to understand and distil, and unpick the resource material and stories that already exist how to ensure that the new research (or bringing together of information and data) has attractive local angles Creating local maps Event ideas and activities that highlight the themes of Magna Carta How to create interesting community and educational events Creating an education trail for the whole community How to engage and work with formal and informal education groups How the information gathered can be best stored, interpreted, presented and used to support education locally.

Encouraging local research Using the breadth of scholarship coming out for the anniversary with local archives and museums groups will be encouraged to use the toolkit to develop knowledge in their local areas, that create a legacy on from June 2015

Supporting the Battlefields Trust In addition to developing the legacy of the Magna Carta it is hoped that the toolkit will encourage people to form local groups that will support wider activities. Those activities might be about battlefield heritage and widen the reach and support of the BT.

When will the tool kit be ready? The Toolkit is being developed now It will be ready as simple documents (so as not to break anyone's computer or printer) for the anniversary in June It will be part of the legacy of the project.

Community development events To support the toolkit the Battlefields Trust is planning to hold 2 – 3 community events in the autumn to support local communities with some hands on skills development. Venue suggestions?

The events would include: Historical lectures/presentations – relevant to Magna Carta How to use and develop the toolkit for local needs How to create and deliver local talks and activities How to work with local authorities to create events and information resources How the Magna Carta story fits into education in local schools Understanding working with different audiences Working with different age groups How to maintain the community group and engage with the events regionally and nationally The legacy of the Magna Carta 800th anniversary in each local area.

So what now? Around the time of the anniversary check the BT website and the MC 800th Committee for the toolkit Either get involved yourself with the research or encourage groups or individuals around you to use the toolkit to explore the local heritage and impact of the Magna Carta Look out for the local community events Start asking questions about your local area and Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta – It’s not just about ideas and principles – it’s about our local heritage – let’s remember it

Paula Kitching Beyond the Magna Carta 800th anniversary – a toolkit for communities Paula Kitching pkitching@hotmail.com