Faversham

Faversham, Kent’s ‘Market Town of Kings’ so called because of its links with English kings and queens over more than a thousand years. The Kent town possesses a magnificent set of charters, including a confirmation of Magna Carta presented to the Barons and Port of Faversham in 1300.

Faversham’s Magna Carta is the last reissue of King Edward I’s seal and was granted due to the town’s connections with the Cinque Ports. The international importance of the Faversham Magna Carta was initially overlooked in the town’s archive, which is not surprising as Faversham has one on the largest collections of municipal charters in the UK dating from 1252 to 1685.

As part of the Magna Carta 800 commemorations, Faversham will launch a major Kent touring exhibition ‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’ on 23rd May with the Faversham Magna Carta as the centrepiece. The exhibition will remain in the town until 28th June when it begins its tour and moves to Canterbury. A highlight of the exhibition whilst in Faversham will be the ‘Faversham Charters Collection’ exhibition when many of the Charters will be on display alongside Magna Carta.

Exhibitions:

23rd May – 28th June: ‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’
The Alexander Centre, Faversham. Every day from 10.00am to 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm). Thursdays until 7.30pm.

Faversham’s rarely displayed Magna Carta will be the centrepiece of this major free exhibition which will interpret the importance of the medieval Magna Carta to today’s concepts of the freedom of the individual, democracy and society. The ‘Faversham Charters Collection’ exhibition will display the best of Faversham’s charters with an audio visual presentation bringing some of the town’s treasures to life.

Dates and venues are as follows:

23rd May-28th June: The Alexander Centre, Faversham
2nd July-19th July: The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury
25th July – 6th September:, Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone
10th September – 19th September:, Maison Dieu, Dover
24th September -6th October:, Jury Room, The Guildhall, Sandwich
10th October-6th December:, Lady Chapel, Rochester Cathedral

For further information visit www.magnacartarediscovered.co.uk

23rd May – 28th June: ‘Protest, Democracy and the Law.’
The Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, Faversham. 10.00am – 4.00pm.

This free exhibition will highlight the long history of protest in Faversham. For more information, visit www.favershamsociety.org

Events:

22nd May: BBC Radio 4’s ‘Any Questions will be broadcast from The Alexander Centre with panellists Lord Chris Patten and Douglas Carswell MP, UKIP.

The Alexander Centre Lecture Series, every Thursday throughout the exhibition starting at 7.30pm.
A free series of lectures hosted by Professor Kenneth Fincham, University of Kent

28th May: ‘Why does Faversham have a Magna Carta’? Presented by Peter Tann local historian and author of ‘The Royal Charters of Faversham.’

4th June: ‘Magna Carta in its own Time’ Presented by Professor Louise Wilkinson, Professor of Medieval History, Canterbury Christ Church University.

11th June: ‘After Magna Carta: the struggle for implementation’ Presented by Richard Eales, former Head of History, University of Kent.

18th June: Dr David Starkey, constitutional historian and presenter of BBC 2’s David Starkey’s Magna Carta.

25th June: ‘Universal Human Rights: the enduring legacy of Magna Carta’ Presented by Stephen Bowen, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Kingston University, London
For further information and to book tickets www.thealexandercentre.com

6th June: ‘Magna Carta Gala Concert. The world premiere of ‘Toads on a Tapestry’ a cantata celebrating Faversham’s Magna Carta, bringing together more than 200 amateur and professional performers in the impressive setting of St Mary of Charity Church, Faversham.

For further information and tickets at £15 each concessions also available contact www.favershammusicclub.co.uk

13th – 14th June: Faversham Magna Carta Weekend. The streets of Faversham will come ‘alive’ with the sights and sounds of medieval England. Historical re-enactments, plays, medieval displays, arts, crafts, food and drink.
For further information visit www.faversham.org/magnacartaweekend

13th – 14th June: ‘Trial by Jury’ The Assembly Rooms, Faversham. Performances at 3pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, 13th and at 3pm on Sunday, 14th. A one act comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by Faversham Youth Choir. A free event with a retiring collection.

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David Davis

Member of Parliament

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