Steven Franklin

In this intriguing discussion, Steven Franklin, a Magna Carta scholar at Royal Holloway, University of London, illuminates the true purpose behind the Magna Carta—originally a peace treaty, not a symbol of civil liberties. He and Dr. Eleanor Janega dissect its mythologized status and how it primarily served the interests of the barons during King John's reign. They also explore the often-overlooked Charter of the Forest and its impact on common people's rights, sparking a reevaluation of historical interpretations and modern civil liberties.