Ceremony launches Magna Carta countdown
FIVE years of celebrations that will lead up to the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta have been launched with a procession led by Lord Chancellor Ken Clarke.
The ceremony took place at a memorial site in Runnymede, Surrey, where King John sealed the charter of rights in 1215, and Mr Clarke was joined by dignitaries including Alice Richmond, treasurer of the American Bar Association.
The celebrations will include exhibitions throughout the UK and The Magna Carta Trust is campaigning for a public holiday on June 15, 2015, as well as a commemorative coin and stamp.
The trust is aiming to raise awareness of the importance of the document, which has World Heritage status. The charter guaranteed basic freedoms and rights to 'free men'.