Welcome to the History of English Podcast, a podcast about the history of the English language.

This is Episode 97.

Let's put it in writing.

In this episode, we're going to look at the events leading to Magna Carta, one of the

most important documents in the history of the English-speaking world, even though it

was composed in Latin.

Though most of the provisions were directed at futile concerns and became antiquated

over the centuries, the charter established a basic idea that the king was subject to

the law, and those laws could be spelled out in a written document.

In fact, Magna Carta was really the product of a period in which the use of official documents

was exploding.

So this time, we'll look at the growing role of the written word, and the rise of the

bureaucratic state.

But before we begin, let me remind you that the website for the podcast is HistoryofEnglishPodcast.com,

and you can sign up to support the podcast at patreon.com slash history of English.

And as always, you can reach me by email at kevinathistoryofEnglishPodcast.com.

So let's turn to this episode, and let's explore the road to Magna Carta.

Our story actually begins in New York City of All Places on April 30, 1939.

That was the day when the world's fair opened in New York.

One of the themes of the fair was the world of the future.

Many new inventions were featured, and visitors were invited to take a look at the world of

tomorrow.

...