The Birthplace of Democracy

In 1215, an ageing King John came to the low marshy lands of Runnymede to make peace with rebel barons, reacquaint with his lost land, and negotiated freedom throughout the ages. The charter signed on this day would, without the intention at the time, free people internationally of tyranny forevermore. This document will be cut down later officially as the Magna Carta.

King John thought that after his death in 1916, when his land and liberty was transferred to his nine-year-old son, that the legacy it will be lost forever.800 years later, this couldnt be further from the truth.  Back in 1957, a section of state land in Egham, the land between Staines and Windsor, was dedicated to the cause. 

I took the bus down to the area, and shortly afterwards, set out for the art exhibits in the monuments. The first stop on the list was “The jurors”, a set of 12 chairs that had copper inscriptions of influential moments of history into people that were affirmed or protected under the Magna Carta. This powerful piece detailed things such as immigration, ecosystem and ability, gay rights, Nelson Mandela's trial, women's rights in India, and more.

And then, I came upon the John F. Kennedy memorial, with a short walk to reflect upon things that he had done for both America and the world. At the top, a quote on his inaugural address was inscribed on the stone, with an American scarlet oak hiding behind the monument to symbolise the protection from harm done just now it was dedicated to America in 1980s.

After another short walk through the woods, I arrived at the Magna Carta monument, they pinnacle of Runnymede. This monument was commissioned in 1957 to commemorate the examples of religious freedom and justice has brought the world ever since. 8 English oak trees line the area, which represent eight principles of the magna carta. Additional trees were planted later, with one coming from the Prime Minister of India 50 years after its liberation from British rule.

Written in Water Is a poetic piece in the middle of a stone circle, where clause 39 Is edged in stone upside down and backwards so that the reflection reads normally upon the water. Inspiration for this artwork arose from the fact that King John for his idea would be transient like water, and that his ideas would be lost after his death. I contemplated this piece, and then moved onwards for the last bit of this adventure.

At last, after an uphill hike through the woods, I came to the Air Forces Memorial. This Memorial was installed to remember all of the individuals that got lost or killed during WWII and have no marked grave.

If you ever find yourself taking a short day trip outside of London, and if you like history and democracy, definitely pay a visit to Runnymede. For an outdoor enthusiast like myself, it's one of the world's finest.