The Magna Carta is a peace treaty which was signed in 1215 to make peace between the unpopular King John and a group of rebel barons. Photo / News Corp Australia
The Magna Carta is a peace treaty which was signed in 1215 to make peace between the unpopular King John and a group of rebel barons. Photo / News Corp Australia
A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to steal a £20million (NZ$39.4 million) Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire Police said.
Detectives questioned a man today following an attempt to steal the manuscript after smashing its glass case with a hammer.
The historic document dating back to 1215 and described as the "best original" out of the four copies made, was enclosed in a two-inch thick glass case in the cathedral and had been on view for the tens of thousands of visitors who visit every year, reports Daily Mail.
Police said that they had been alerted after someone smashed the glass case and after arriving at the cathedral, they conducted a thorough search of the grounds and arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of trying to steal the Magna Carta. It has been removed from display while police investigate the attempted theft.
Courageous staff wrestled the hammer-wielding suspect to the ground for 12 minutes after he attempted to flee, Rev Canon Nicholas Papadopulos said, adding today was the first time anyone had tried to steal the Magna Carta.
"The damage to the glass case triggered the alarm," he said. "The man who attacked the case then left the Chapter House.
"There were cathedral volunteers, staff and members of the public in the vicinity at the time. He ran into the Cloister and tried to leave the Cathedral through the works yard. He was then detained by our works yard staff."
Raymond Molin-Wilkinson, 66, of Salisbury, Wilts, was taking pictures around the city when he saw a group of around 100 people evacuated from the cathedral.
The suspect was arrested at Salisbury Cathedral after alarms were triggered by an attempt to smash the glass box in which the artefact was displayed. Photo / Supplied
"I was just outside the building when it happened," he said. "There was suddenly an evacuation I think - there was an alarm going in the building.
"The fire brigade and police arrived on the scene, and the police went to the back door of the building and took a gentleman away in the back of their van.
"There were about 100 people standing outside the cathedral a mixture of tourists and choristers in their blue gowns.
"They seemed to be quite calm, with many of the drinking coffees and still eating their cakes from the cathedral café - I think they thought it was just a false fire alarm.
"They were there for about an hour - it was around 6pm that they were allowed back inside the cathedral."
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "A 45-year-old man is in custody this morning arrested on suspicion of the attempted theft of the Magna Carta.
"Shortly before 5pm yesterday alarms were activated at Salisbury Cathedral after an attempt was made to smash the glass box surrounding the Magna Carta. Staff were alerted and police were called.
"A man matching the description given by witnesses was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage and has been taken to Melksham Police custody for questioning. He remains there," said the spokesman.
"The Magna Carta has not been damaged and nobody was injured in the incident. We are aware there were a number of witnesses to the incident who may not have spoken to police.
"If this was you, please get in touch via 101 and quote crime reference number 541800101438."
The disturbance once again thrusts the Wiltshire city into the spotlight after it became the focal point of tensions between Russia and Britain.
Two Russian men were accused of attempting to assassinate former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury using a highly toxic nerve agent.
The pair prompted ridicule when they claimed they had been visiting the city as tourists and wanted to see the cathedral.
The Magna Carta, Latin for Great Charter, was brought into law under King John of Runnymede on 15th June 1215,.
It was credited as being one of the first documents to limit the power of the crown.
The charter was imposed upon the king by a group of his subjects, the feudal barons, and limited his powers on the likes of punishing a "freeman", unless through the law of the land.
But the document didn't last long, with Pope Innocent III annulling it in August 1215, because it was a "shameful and demeaning agreement, forced upon the King by violence and fear".
After King John died, his successor Henry III thought it was a good idea and brought it back.
Three clauses of the 63 are still in force today - freedom of the English Church, the ancient liberties of the City of London and a right to due process.
It was written in Latin by hand, by an expert scribe, on parchment. The Magna Carta was not signed, but sealed, and at the bottom of our Magna Carta you can see the marks where King John's seal was once attached.
There are just four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Two are kept in the British Library, one is in Lincoln Cathedral and one at Salisbury Cathedral, which is the best preserved manuscipt.
Shortly after the originals were sealed, 250 copies were made but just 17 are thought to still exist.
