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Magna Carta: How the American panel was influenced by democracy

One person who was commissioned by Runnymede Borough Council to mark the anniversary was Royal School of Needlework member Rhoda Nevins, who created The Magna Carta Embroidery panels which are to be shown throughout the country.

June 2015 marks the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede, near Windsor. With this in mind, celebrations and commemorative events are currently being planned across the country.

June 2015 marks the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede, near Windsor. With this in mind, celebrations and commemorative events are currently being planned across the country.

Rhoda Nevins has completed the most recent addition to the collection with The America Panel. The Magna Carta is pivotal in creating American democracy and thus this is shown on her latest embroidered piece of art.

The panel, which will be part of twelve in total, features eight illustrations, with the two flags being both pre (on the right) and post-independence (on the left).

The Pilgrim Fathers (top left) settled on the East Coast in 1620. John Cabot is featured on the top centre for his discovery of many parts of America in 1497. John Smith who was a pioneer and settler of the first English colony (centre of panel) is shown being captured in 1607 by Cheif Pawhatan.

On the right-hand side, The Boston Tea Party 1773 is dictated. General Cornwallis (bottom left) is pictured surrendering to George Washington in 1776. Lastly, in the bottom right corner, is the President on his horse next to the White House.

Magna Carta is the most fundamental source for America law. The idea to even have a written constitution comes from Magna Carta. The formation of Magna Carta created the basis of “higher law”, a law that no legislative act or power can change. This concept was furthered by the American Revolution upon their separation from the United Kingdom. It was used to create the supremacy clause of the United Stated Constitution, which is enforced by the Supreme Court.

Without the creation of the Magna Carta, The United States would not stand as the free democracy we know today.

Photo credit: Rhonda Nevins