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Rare 1300 Magna Carta Found in Harvard’s Archives

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Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

May 17, 2025 0 Neutral General

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Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Historians have confirmed a parchment in Harvard Law School’s collection is actually a 1300 Magna Carta—one of only seven known surviving originals from that year. The document, misfiled and mistakenly labeled a replica, was purchased by Harvard in 1946 for about $27.50. Spectral imaging revealed it is an authentic “Confirmation of the Charters” from King Edward I, reaffirming the Magna Carta’s core principle that no ruler is above the law. Experts believe the rare find is worth millions, though Harvard intends to keep it.

What this means for you:

•	If you love history, check whether your local institutions might hold hidden treasures or recently digitized archives
•	This underscores the ongoing importance of archivists, historians, and advanced technologies in preserving cultural artifacts
•	Expect new exhibitions as Harvard showcases this find—an opportunity for education about constitutional foundations

Key Entities

• Magna Carta: Foundational 1215 document establishing rule of law over monarchs
• King Edward I: Issued reaffirmations in 1300, including the newly identified parchment
• Harvard Law School Archives: Custodian of the discovered manuscript

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Rare 1300 Magna Carta Found in Harvard’s Archives

Key Entities

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Right-Leaning View

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