Gone Medieval: Episode Summary - "Myths of Magna Carta"

Podcast Information

• Title: Gone Medieval
• Host/Author: History Hit
• Episode: Myths of Magna Carta
• Release Date: January 14, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Myths of Magna Carta," hosted by History Hit's Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Jaunega delves into the intricate history and enduring legacy of the Magna Carta. Joined by Magna Carta scholar Dr. Stephen Franklin, the discussion unpacks the myths, misconceptions, and historical realities surrounding this pivotal 13th-century document.

The Historical Context of Magna Carta

Dr. Jaunega opens the conversation by highlighting the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta's reissue in 2025, emphasizing that the original document was far from the universal symbol of liberty it is often portrayed to be today.

Dr. Eleanor Jaunega [02:25]: "Magna Carta is one of those big medieval names that gets dropped a lot in very knowing tones. It's become a sort of modern catch-all to push back against what are seen as the overreaches of government."

Dr. Franklin echoes this sentiment by clarifying the original purpose of Magna Carta:

Dr. Stephen Franklin [05:30]: "Magna Carta was never supposed to be a beacon of civil liberty, a foundation of law. It was just meant to be a peace treaty to stop John and his barons from fighting."

Myth vs. Reality

A central theme of the episode is the divergence between Magna Carta's historical role and its modern symbolic significance. Dr. Franklin points out that for the average person in 1215, Magna Carta held little direct impact.

Dr. Stephen Franklin [10:52]: "I think that that is such an important point because I think that in terms of the mythology of Magna Carta, everyone says, oh, and then there were rights for men. And it's like, well, you know it all depends on which men we're talking about."

Matt Lewis further explores the layered meanings that Magna Carta has accumulated over centuries, describing it as a "palimpsest" of evolving interpretations and myths.

Matt Lewis [13:30]: "Magna Carta is potentially best described as a bit of a palimpsest. It's layers and layers and layers of meaning interpretation that has evolved over those 800 years or 810 years."

The Role of Magna Carta in Political Symbolism

The podcast delves into how different historical figures and movements have co-opted Magna Carta to serve their political agendas. From the English Civil War to the American Founding Fathers, the document has been repurposed to symbolize various notions of rights and freedoms.

Dr. Stephen Franklin [17:05]: "The Founding Fathers were simply reiterating this... they love to kind of point to a medieval document because this shows that time immemorial thing."

However, the guest emphasizes that such uses often overlook the document's original intent and context.

The Charter of the Forest

Shifting focus, Dr. Franklin introduces the Charter of the Forest, a lesser-known but equally significant document issued in 1217. Unlike Magna Carta, the Charter of the Forest addressed the rights of common people, granting them access to common lands and resources.

Dr. Stephen Franklin [31:14]: "In the Charter of the Forest, it comes in 1217... it has all kinds of things for regular people saying you can have access to common lands."

Both hosts express admiration for this document, arguing that it better represents the interests of the common man compared to Magna Carta.

Modern-Day Misinterpretations and Uses

The discussion transitions to contemporary times, illustrating how Magna Carta continues to be invoked in modern legal and political debates, often inaccurately. Examples include attempts to use it to oppose COVID-19 restrictions.

Matt Lewis [27:04]: "People... think that... they could keep your businesses open if you displayed Magna Carta in your windows."

Dr. Franklin highlights the dangers of such misinterpretations, noting how they distort historical facts and propagate myths.

Legal Legacy and Remaining Clauses

Despite centuries of evolution, only a few clauses of Magna Carta remain relevant today, primarily those concerning the freedom of the Church and the city of London. Most other clauses have been superseded by modern legislation like the European Convention on Human Rights.

Dr. Stephen Franklin [27:46]: "How many parts of Magna Carta are still on the books today? Clause 39 and 40 basically become truncated into one, and they exist."

The Fishing Weirs Clause: A Case Study

An intriguing part of the conversation focuses on the "fishing weirs" clause, illustrating the document's specificity to its historical context. Originally intended to protect trade routes and ensure the availability of fish for sustenance and commerce, this clause starkly contrasts with the abstract rights often associated with Magna Carta.

Matt Lewis [38:18]: "That is the most famous clause in Magna Carta, isn't it? The fishing weirs clause. It really does demonstrate exactly how precise and specific Magna Carta of 1215 is to the context to which it's sealed."

Conclusion

In wrapping up, Dr. Franklin and Matt Lewis underscore the importance of understanding Magna Carta's true historical role versus its mythologized version. They advocate for a more nuanced appreciation of medieval documents, cautioning against their oversimplified use in modern discourse.

Matt Lewis [44:08]: "The title of the story would probably be how long was it until you did? Actually, when you're right... the majority of the population... it's not 1215, it's not 1225, it's not 1297, it's not the Civil War."

The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to critically evaluate historical symbols and their applications in contemporary society.

Notable Quotes

1. Dr. Eleanor Jaunega [02:25]:
   "Magna Carta is one of those big medieval names that gets dropped a lot in very knowing tones. It's become a sort of modern catch-all to push back against what are seen as the overreaches of government."

2. Matt Lewis [13:30]:
   "Magna Carta is potentially best described as a bit of a palimpsest. It's layers and layers and layers of meaning interpretation that has evolved over those 800 years or 810 years."

3. Dr. Stephen Franklin [17:05]:
   "The Founding Fathers were simply reiterating this... they love to kind of point to a medieval document because this shows that time immemorial thing."

4. Dr. Stephen Franklin [31:14]:
   "In the Charter of the Forest, it comes in 1217... it has all kinds of things for regular people saying you can have access to common lands."

5. Matt Lewis [38:18]:
   "That is the most famous clause in Magna Carta, isn't it? The fishing weirs clause. It really does demonstrate exactly how precise and specific Magna Carta of 1215 is to the context to which it's sealed."

6. Matt Lewis [44:08]:
   "The title of the story would probably be how long was it until you did? Actually, when you're right... the majority of the population... it's not 1215, it's not 1225, it's not 1297, it's not the Civil War."

This episode of Gone Medieval provides a thought-provoking examination of the Magna Carta, challenging listeners to differentiate between its historical reality and the myths that have shaped its enduring legacy.