The Magna Carta was sealed by King John at Runnymede in June 1215 just down the hill from Royal Holloway. The location beside the River Thames is described in the charter as 'in the meadow that is called Runnymede, between Windsor and Staines.' Runnymede was chosen because it was a conveniently large meeting place close to Windsor Castle where the King and his entourage came from for the negotiations.

The site is marked by the Magna Carta Memorial. Standing at the foot of the Cooper's Hill slopes, near the College's student residences at Kingswood Hall, the memorial is in the form of a domed classical temple' It contains a pillar of English granite on which is inscribed: 'To commemorate Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom Under Law.'

Today, the spot is owned by the National Trust with the preservation of the countryside surrounding Runnymede ensured. Nearby stand the John F. Kennedy Memorial, and the Air Forces Memorial, and the combination of three such historically significant memorials draws many thousands of visitors each year.

Magna Carta Lecture Series

In 2005 a special lecture series was launched by Royal Holloway in association with the Magna Carta Trust. The lectures will be delivered by a prestigious guest speaker each year until 2015, when the nation celebrates the 800th Anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede.

Three outstanding lectures have established this proud tradition to date, bringing hundreds of visitors to Royal Holloway to share these inspiring occasions with our students and staff.

For details of the lectures and for full texts please visit the Magna Carta lectures page here.