1. Paula Kitching
Beyond the Magna Carta 800th anniversary – a toolkit for communities
Paula Kitching

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Assisting local communities to understand their Magna Carta heritage
There are 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 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.

14. 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.

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

16. Paula Kitching
Beyond the Magna Carta 800th anniversary – a toolkit for communities
Paula Kitching