Where is the original Magna Carta kept?

Asked by: Dr. Luisa Schamberger  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (72 votes)

The original Magna Carta (1215) isn't in one single place, as four copies survive: two are at the British Library, one is at Lincoln Castle, and the best-preserved copy is at Salisbury Cathedral, with all four being key historical documents of liberty. While some later versions (like the 1297 one) have toured, these four 1215 documents are the core originals, with Salisbury's being the most complete.

Does the original 1215 Magna Carta still exist?

Scholars believe that multiples of the 1215 Magna Carta—as of subsequent reissues—were produced and disseminated across the realm. Only four of these first issues, however, survive. Two are in the British Library and one each in Salisbury and Lincoln.

How many copies of the original Magna Carta are there?

In the 21st century, four exemplifications of the original 1215 charter remain in existence, two at the British Library, one at Lincoln Castle and one at Salisbury Cathedral. These are recognised by UNESCO on its Memory of the World international register.

Does Lincoln Cathedral have a copy of the Magna Carta?

DAVID P J ROSS MAGNA CARTA VAULT

The two charters belong to Lincoln Cathedral and are on loan to Lincoln Castle, a seat for justice from its beginnings. A facsimile of Magna Carta can be found in the Cathedral. There is a third space within the vault for a guest document.

What does clause 52 of the Magna Carta mean?

The drafters of Clause 52 pinpointed disseisin, the unlawful seizure of land, as the most objectionable of these and demanded an immediate remedy for it – as, indeed, the barons had already done earlier in the year, when they swore to take action against the king `until he swore to restore to the leading men of England ...

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