Rare Magna Cartas bring 30,000 people to cathedral

Three rare copies of the Magna Carta were displayed at Durham Cathedral Museum

Almost 30,000 people flocked to a cathedral to see three rare copies of the Magna Carta.

The historic documents were put on display in July and led to the highest ever attendance at Durham Cathedral Museum.

Visitor Rachel Hale said she was "awestruck" at being able to see the documents in such good condition.

"I found it totally fascinating to see the real documents from so long ago that put all men on the same legal footing, at least in theory," she said.

"The documents have helped to shape human rights as we know them today.

"The fact they are still so pristine and the thought of who has seen them over the years - I was totally awestruck."

The cathedral has the only surviving 1216 Magna Carta

The Magna Carta, known as the great charter, was first issued in 1215 and was the first document to put in writing that the king and his government were not above the law.

The cathedral said three clauses of the 1225 edition were still in force, making it a "cornerstone of British democracy".

The exhibition, which ended on 2 November, allowed visitors to view the only surviving 1216 edition as well others from 1225 and 1300.

The rare documents have now been returned to storage for safekeeping

Cathedral chief officer for visitor experience, Andrew Usher, said the display had "brought people out in their droves".

"We definitely got the message out there that these are very rare documents from our collection and that the opportunity to see them only comes around every eight years or so," he said.

"The last week of the exhibition alone certainly proved that as people did not want to miss their chance to see a part of global history right here in the North East."

The cathedral said the documents had been returned to storage where they can "rest" and be looked after.