Runnymede

Runnymede is a meadow on the South bank of the River Thames, in the county of Surrey, England. It lies in the parish of Egham. It is celebrated in connection with the signature of Magna Carta by King John on June 15 1215.

It has been disputed whether the ceremony took place actually in the meadow or on Magna Carta or Charter Island lying off it. The charter itself indicates Runnymede by name, but this may have included the island, which is the traditional site and was in 1217 the meeting-place of Henry III and Louis (afterwards Louis VIII) of France.

This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.