London's Houses of Parliament.

London’s Houses of Parliament. Image by Gareth Milner / CC BY-SA 2.0

All four remaining manuscripts of the Magna Carta will be shown at the House of Lords, part of London’s Houses of Parliament, as part of the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary celebrations. The 1215 document protected the rights of nobles and reduced King John’s powers, and came to be seen as an important step in the path to democracy. The manuscripts are normally held in different parts of England — two in London’s British Library and one each in Lincoln and Salisbury cathedrals. Tickets for this event are limited to children and young people, but wider anniversary celebrations include a major exhibition at the British Library and events across Britain. A series of banners marking the history of Parliament go on display in London’s Westminster Hall this week. Read more: standard.co.uk