Welcome to the History Extra podcast, fascinating historical conversations from the makers of BBC History Magazine.

In June 1215, King John was forced by his rebellious barons to agree to a charter at Runnymede. We know that charter as

Magna Carta, but no one in the 13th century actually called it that. Ask a medieval baron or king,

and they would say that Magna Carter referred to the charter issued by John's son, Henry III, 10 years later in 1225. In today's episode,

Professor David Carpenter explains to David Musgrove why we ought to commemorate the 11th of February

1225, 800 years ago today, as the real anniversary of Magna Carta.

David, you have written a great piece in the latest issue of BBC History magazine

where you remind the readers that this year 2025, in fact, the 11th February,

we commemorate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.

Now, I have been working on the magazine and podcast for quite a few years,

and I distinctly remember us talking about the same anniversary 10 years ago in 2015, when, of course,

we were 800 years after 1215. So am I losing my mind? Well, not entirely. Yes and no, I would never

accuse you, Day, of losing your mind. Certainly, since the 18th century,

and we might come onto that, King John's charter issued at Rannimede on the 15th of June, 1215,

has always been considered Magna Carta. So in that sense, you were right, and that's why 10 years

ago we celebrated its 800th anniversary. But for people in that sense, you were right. And that's why 10 years ago we celebrated its 800th anniversary.

But for people in the 13th century and beyond, John's charter was not regarded as Magna Carta.

It was nearly always called the Charter of Runeh. And Magna Carta was the charter, Henry

the 3rd issued on the 11th of February at Westminster in the ninth year of his reign,

which is the 11th of February 1225.

And in that sense, therefore, the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta is on the 11th of February 2025.

So it's quite complicated, but it's a question of then and now. Now, certainly we think of

...