BBC News - Churchill plan to give Magna Carta copy to US revealed
"As World War Two broke out, one of the original copies was stranded
"As World War Two broke out, one of the original copies was stranded
in America, following its display at a trade fair in New York.
Foreign Office papers now on display at the British Library show
the Cabinet contemplated giving the manuscript to the United States as a gift,
describing it as "the only really adequate gesture which it is in our power to
make in return for the means to preserve our country."
the Cabinet contemplated giving the manuscript to the United States as a gift,
describing it as "the only really adequate gesture which it is in our power to
make in return for the means to preserve our country."
Winston Churchill had added handwritten comments in favour of the
proposal but it fell through as the Magna Carta was not the government's to give
away.
proposal but it fell through as the Magna Carta was not the government's to give
away.
It actually belonged to Lincoln Cathedral and for the rest of the
war it was guarded at Fort Knox before being returned in 1946. "
war it was guarded at Fort Knox before being returned in 1946. "
Hardly news though, as I read about this some time ago!
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