Magna Carta Anthem….

Magna Carta Anthem…. over 1,000 miles on a bicycle

Update: Click here to see Steve upon arrival at Temple Church, London.

An emissary on bicycle, the vicar’s husband of Odiham in Hampshire, will deliver by hand to the director of music a Magna Carta Anthem manuscript, which is being taken to each of the original Magna Carta towns.

The cycle trail begins in Odiham, home of King John’s castle, from where King John set off to meet his Barons and to agree to Magna Carta. The trail continues from Odiham to Winchester, Salisbury, Oxford, Hereford, Durham, Lincoln, Langton by Wragby, Bury St Edmunds, St Albans, Runnymede (Wraysbury & Egham), London (Temple) and Canterbury; before returning to Odiham.

Malcolm Archer, Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College, has composed the Anthem, which is published by the Royal School of Church Music. The anthem is to be played and sung by organ and choir in celebration and commemoration of the agreement of Magna Carta on the meadows of Runnymede on June 15^th 1215, in thanks for the liberty and democracy we enjoy today.

It is set to the text Veni, sancte spiritus, written by Archbishop Langton. Langton was Archbishop at the time of Magna Carta in 1215, and one of the principal signatories. He was also a key figure in the dispute between King John and Pope Innocent III, a contributing factor in the crisis that led to the issuing of Magna Carta.

Expected timetable for arriving at each destination:

Monday 21 July: Winchester am; Salisbury pm

Wednesday 23 July: Oxford am

Thursday 24 July: Hereford pm

Monday 28 July: Durham pm

Thursday 31 July: Lincoln and Langton by Wragby pm

Sunday 3 August: Bury St Edmunds am

Monday 4 August: St Albans pm

Tuesday 5 August: Runnymede – Wraysbury am; Egham pm

Wednesday 6 August: London – Temple Church am; Mansion House and Westminster pm.

Thursday 7 August: Canterbury pm

Saturday 9 August: Odiham

For more information about this event, please contact Steve Brown on 07974358830 or at [email protected]

If you would like to sponsor the cycle ride all proceeds go towards All Saints Odiham PCC project for heating and building improvement.

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Alice Richmond

Deputy Chairman, Magna Carta 800th Committee

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