THE county’s links to Magna Carta – the document defining Britain’s freedoms – are celebrated in a special year-long exhibition launched at Hereford Cathedral this week.

A national commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta allows the Cathedral to open up over the part played by Hereford and the Marches in its making.

The event is based around the Cathedral’s own copy of Magna Carta – dated from 1217 – extracts from which have been interpreted by Hereford artist Chris White to hang as calligraphic banners in the nave.

Illuminated manuscripts from the Cathedral’s chained library illustrate the law and justice of the time, and are displayed alongside other documents from the reign of King John and his son, Henry III.

The roles played by Hereford bishops, Giles de Braose and Thomas Cantilupe (St Thomas of Hereford) in the story are also accounted for.

Special services and evensong are planned, along with Magna Carta-themed re-enactment days at the cathedral and throughout the city, and during the 300th anniversary of the Hereford Three Choirs Festival in July.

Two key Magna Carta items are housed in the Cathedral’s Library and Archives.

The Hereford Magna Carta, the finest surviving 1217 charter, represents the most significant revision of the original 1215 document issued by King John’s son, Henry III.

Also held is the sole surviving copy of King John’s Writ, which was a “covering letter” sent from the signing at Runnymede to royal officials across England, instructing recipients to ensure the terms of the charter were made known publicly throughout the land, sworn to and kept.