Skip to Content

Treason? The Trial of the Magna Carta Barons

Westminster Hall, Friday 31st July 2015, 6pm

On the 31st July 2015, Westminster Hall, the Magna Carta Barons were charged with Treason for their involvement in the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215.

A unanimous verdict of ‘Not Guilty’ was returned by the Hon. Justice Stephen Breyer, Lord Neuberger, President of the UK Supreme Court, and Dame Sian Elias, Chief Justice of New Zealand. You can see the full video of the Trial and verdict by clicking here, or watching above.

Circa 800 members of the public and other distinguished guests including the Commonwealth Serjeants at Arms attended the Trial. Westminster Hall was filled to capacity, and some music was performed by the Barclay Ensemble.

The Final Judgements:
Download the judgement of Lord Neuberger
Download the judgement of Hon. Justice Stephen Breyer
Download the judgement of Dame Sian Elias

Cast List:
Gavin Esler: Narrator
Derek Allan: Court Usher
James Eadie QC: Prosecution
Nathalie Lieven QC: Defence
Clive Anderson: King John
Lord Judge: William Marshal
Lord Lisvane: Archbishop Stephen Langton
Professor David Carpenter: Robert FitzWalter, representing the Magna Carta Barons.

The Production Team:
Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL, Executive Producer, and Chairman of the 800th Committee
David McBride: Producer
Jenny Rowe CB, Chief Executive of the Supreme Court
Mark Gill: Executive Director, 800th Committee
Ben Wilson, Head of Communications, UK Supreme Court.

Gallery:

All images in this album (c) Kevin Leighton

Featured Article

Today is the very anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta, that great charter which laid down the basis for English common law, now spread throughout the world. Magna Carta gave protection of law against despotism by...

Read on...

Recent Articles

See more...

Stay updated

If you would like to keep informed about the work of the Magna Carta Trust and our partners, please sign up to the newsletter below.