Magna Carta: The True Story Behind the Charter

'A soaring account of the months that transformed a messy feudal squabble into Magna Carta...his crisp storytelling, based around short chapters and rolling rhetoric, is extremely entertaining.'
Dan Jones, Mail on Sunday

'I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Good history is descriptive, narrative and analytical. This is good history.'
Gerard DeGroot, The Times

On 15 June 1215, at Runnymede on the banks of the River Thames, the seal of King John was attached to the Magna Carta, and peace descended upon the land—or so generations have believed. But is this the full story? Have we convinced ourselves that the events of that day not only ended a civil war between the king and the barons but also—seemingly by magic—established a British constitution that has since been admired and emulated worldwide?

Often seen as a victory for the people over the monarchy and a cornerstone of democracy, the true significance of Magna Carta is both misunderstood and misrepresented.

Key Highlights of Magna Carta: The True Story Behind the Charter:

• A vivid portrayal of the years 1215–1225: These ten revolutionary years gave rise to not one but four charters of immense historical importance.
• Richly detailed storytelling: David Starkey brings to life a cast of vibrant historical figures, including King John, the boy-king Henry, Pope Innocent III, Archbishop Stephen Langton, and William Marshal.
• Themes of treachery and idealism: The narrative explores the surprising and enthralling interplay of politics, peace-making, and ambition.

Informative, entertaining, and controversial, Magna Carta: The True Story Behind the Charter challenges centuries of myth-making. It underscores why understanding the true significance of that momentous day by the Thames, over 800 years ago, remains critical to appreciating its lasting impact on history.