Magna Carta for magna price
Had it been known how valuable the Magna Carta was to become surely more copies would have been made. King John could have gone on tour signing them and swelling the royal coffers. There could even have been a sequel, Parva Carta.
As it is the last copy in private hands parted company from its owner, Ross Perot but was purchased by another freedom loving American, who wants to ensure continued access by the public. You cannot put a price on freedom said David Rubenstein perhaps unaware that he and Sotheby’s of New York just had - US$21.3 million in fact.
Mention of Magna Carta always reminds me of perhaps the finest and clearest speech I have ever heard. It was delivered at Kings College Cambridge at a student Law Society dinner.
It was delivered by Lord Denning MR and he spoke of the need to protect our rights, freedoms and privileges from assault each time they were under threat there would be a rustle through the reeds at Runnymede he asserted.
The quality of Lord Denning’s prose was outstanding as any lawyer or law student will testify. The clarity of expression means that Lord Denning’s judgments unlike those of virtually any other judge could be appreciated and be readily understood by non lawyers too.
