The Magna Carta Embroidery: Celebrating 800 years of The Magna Carta

The Magna Carta Embroideryis twelve embroidered panels created to commemorate the 800^thanniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta.

The panels tell the story of how the barons persuaded King John to agree to Magna Carta, arguably the most important legal document in our history, laying the foundation for justice and freedom, not only in this country but throughout the world.

This ambitious embroidery project, has been three years in the making, was commissioned by Runnymede Borough Council, and created by Surrey based borderer Rhoda Nevins.

Rhoda, a member of the Royal College of Needlework and part of the team that embroidered the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed the panels to depict the events that led up to the sealing of the Magna Carta in Charter Towns throughout the UK. The overseas panels show how Magna Carta influenced the spread of law and order throughout the world. Rhoda also recently embroidered two panels that featured in RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015 Magna Carta Garden.

"It's been such a privilege to create this project. It has taken more than three years since the initial conversation with Derek Cotty, Mayor of Runnymede Borough Council from start to finish. The project has grown and grown with exhibitions throughout the country, a book and website and now the possibility of taking it overseas", says Rhoda.

Each Magna Carta Trust town has its own embroidery panel; these are Runnymede, Bury St Edmunds, St Albans, the City of London, Canterbury and Hereford. The five other panels feature former colonies and British Empire countries that were influenced by Magna Carta include United States of America, Canada, Australia, India and South Africa. There is an additional panel comprising all the shields of the 25 barons who were present at the sealing.

This historic document was the first to establish the principles that even a king must - like his subjects - obey the law, and that punishment without trial is wrong. Since the 13th Century, it has continued to underpin legal systems across the world and is still relevant today, forming the basis of the constitutions of countries such as the United States of America, Australia, Canada and India.

There are twelve panels in total, all the panels are A1 size, and the backing material is of heavy weight silk with applique and surface embroidery using silk and gold threads. Rhoda worked with a team of dedicated volunteers, all talented broderers, two can be seen above working on one of the panels, with Rhoda seated on the right.

The Magna Carta Embroidery will be on display throughout the country as part of the Magna Carta 800 anniversary events and are intended to create a lasting legacy to the country in honour of one of the most important historical events in our history.

www.magnacartaembroidery.com

Notes to Editors

For further information and jpegs please contact: Caroline Ratner, Caroline Ratner Communicationscaroline@carolinecoms.com020 8209 0120

Our Facebook is constantly updated with information about the embroidery and forthcoming Magna Carta events https://www.facebook.com/magnacartaembroidery

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About Rhoda Nevins

The past few years have been busy for Rhoda, she has completed a magnificent piece depicting the skyline of the town of Guildford which was presented to the Town memory of her late husband, a former mayor of Guildford. She also helped to embroidered one of the official Olympic quilts which were gifted to each country competing in the 2012 games. She has also recently been presented to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on a visit to Southwark Cathedral as part of the team that embroidered Jubilee vestments for the Bishop of Southwark and his Area Bishops. Rhoda also takes private commissions as well as being commissioned to work on larger public projects.