Magna Carta

Magna Carta, or 'Great Charter', is the document that the barons forced King John to sign in 1215. It was the first successful attempt in limiting the king's power, providing for an orderly process of government and law, and protecting individual rights. As such, it has played a major role in the development of modem democracy. It has been a cornerstone of many modern constitutions, such as that of the United States of America., Lincoln's original copy of Magna Carta is one of only four now in existence. The then Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton, who came from Lincoln, was one of its architects and official witnesses. It disappeared for some 600 years, resurfacing in the 19th century, to be seen hanging in an oak frame in one of the rooms over Exchequergate., It had its first trip abroad in 1939, when it traveled to New York for the World's Fair. The outbreak of war meant it could not return immediately, and it had the honour of being stored at Fort Knox with the original US Constitution., Magna Carta is now on view in the castle., Cathedral Close and Exchequergate , The cathedral was built in the late 11th century inside the walls of the original castle. However, extensions to the east end of the cathedral broke through these. Edward I gave permission for a new wall to be built around the cathedral and its precincts; this became the Close., The Dean and Chapter had jurisdiction over the Close. Most of those associated with the cathedral lived here, from the dean himself and the canons, who made up the chapter, to the choirboys., There were at least ten gates into the Close. Exchequergate was the main entrance, constructed in the 14th century. It had three storeys and consisted of an inner and outer gate. The outer gate was demolished in about 1800., All the gates were locked at night well into the 1700s. The hooks for the Exchequergate door hinges, and the slots for the bars to secure the gate, are still visible.