The Magna Carta and the North exhibition at Durham Cathedral was formally opened on Thursday 10 July by The Right Honourable The Baroness Hale of Richmond, former President of the UK Supreme Court.
The event was preceded by a special evensong service which included our amazing Cathedral Choristers. The service was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Mrs Susan Snowdon, and a number of University and Civic dignitaries. Among those also attending the launch were Foundation Archivist Mr George Gardner and Development Director Mr Andrew Beales.
DCSF Kids Camp will be taking a group of young people to see the exhibition and interact with some of the amazing props and artefacts in the museum over the summer.
To mark the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue of Magna Carta, three of the Cathedral’s rare engrossments—dating from 1216, 1225, and 1300—are now on display in the Durham Cathedral Museum, alongside three Forest Charters, including one of only two surviving copies of the 1217 issue.
As part of the summer-long exhibition, the Cathedral is collaborating with a number of artists and design specialists to create a series of contemporary installations, combining art, light, and digital experiences to bring the story of Magna Carta to life in new and compelling ways.
Upon entering through the Galilee Chapel, visitors encounter work by artist and photographer Ash Mills. Large-scale voiles suspended between the chapel’s columns present a vivid reimagining of Magna Carta, rendered in ‘stained-glass’-style illustrations that echo the visual language of the Cathedral itself.
From there, a striking installation by contemporary artist Nicola Anthony transforms the Nave into a ‘river of words’—a flowing, poetic response to Magna Carta’s enduring legacy. Her luminous, interactive projection draws on text gathered from local community groups, forming a ‘Modern Charter’ that ripples across the Cathedral floor. As visitors walk through it, the words subtly shift and change, creating a sense of shared authorship and ongoing dialogue.
Nicola Anthony’s artwork will evolve throughout the exhibition. Each day, visitors to the Museum will be invited to vote for a word or phrase that resonates with them, influencing the projected text and ensuring that the installation remains dynamic and responsive.
“The Magna Carta caused ripples of change that have shaped how democracy and rights are understood in a fair society. I hope visitors will first be drawn to the light as a flowing river, and then to the words themselves. Some may choose to bathe in the light of a particular phrase, trying to hold onto it in a photo—yet the experience is designed to be fleeting, beautiful, and intangible.”