Rare facsimile of Salisbury Magna Carta to be carried on
board
SOUTHAMPTON, England,
Jan. 27, 2015 /CNW/ -- A rare
facsimile of arguably one of the most important documents in
English history, the Magna Carta, will be going on display on board
Cunard's flagship liner, Queen
Mary 2 and sister ship Queen Victoria between May and September 2015, as the 'Great Charter' sealed by
King John in 1215 celebrates its
800th anniversary year.
As the shipping line continues to celebrate its 175th
anniversary year, Salisbury Cathedral will be lending a rare
facsimile of its Magna Carta, one of only four of the original 1215
documents in existence, to Cunard. The facsimile will be displayed
in the Grand Lobby of Queen Mary 2 from early May until
September 2015, with a 6 night
sojourn aboard Queen Victoria
in late May.
Cunard and the Magna Carta share some interesting history.
During WWII, the Lincoln Magna Carta, one of the four originals,
was moved to Washington DC for
safe-keeping. In January 1946 it
began its journey home, first to New
York and then on board Queen
Elizabeth for the voyage to Southampton. The
ship's Captain, Commodore Sir James
Bisset, kept the metal box containing the precious document
in the safest place he could think of for the duration of the
crossing – under his bed!
Robert Key, Chairman of the
Salisbury Cathedral 2015 Magna Carta 800th Anniversary
Board, and a Member of the National Magna Carta 800th
Committee will be escorting the copy of Salisbury's Magna Carta during crossings
aboard Queen Mary 2 on 10-17 May
2015 and 4-11 September 2015,
and aboard Queen Victoria's
cruise on 22-28 May 2015. Robert will hold two talks on each
voyage about the legacy of the Magna Carta, and the profound effect
it had in shaping the world as we know it today.
The Magna Carta was a series of written promises between the
king and his subjects that he, the king, would govern England and deal with its people according to
the customs of feudal law. The Magna Carta was an attempt by the
barons to stop a king - in this case John - abusing his power and
causing suffering to the people of England.
Robert explains to significance of partnership with the Magna
Carta and Cunard in their joint anniversary year:
"I, and Salisbury Cathedral, are delighted to be working with
Cunard as we celebrate the Magna Carta's 800th
anniversary by loaning a very rare facsimile of the document. The
impact of the Magna Carta was not only felt ashore, but in these
lectures we have a golden opportunity to explain and explore those
fundamental freedoms that give Cunard ships the right to sail the
seven seas – rights that we won 800 years ago and for which people
the world over are still prepared to fight and to die."
"It is an honour to welcome the Magna Carta, such a significant
piece of world history, to both our flagship liner, Queen Mary 2,
and Queen Victoria during our
175th anniversary year," said Richard Meadows, President, Cunard, North
America. "Hosting someone such as Robert Key, and providing our guests a glimpse
into the enduring impact of this historical document on our world
today, truly exemplifies what Cunard's Insights
enrichment programme is all about."
The Magna Carta copy will join Queen Mary 2 from 10 May
and will stay on board until 11 September
2015. It will be transferred to Queen Victoria for a short period, 26-28
May, part of the ship's Liverpool Salute sailing 22-28 May
2015. On 25 May 2015, all three
Queens will sail together into the Liverpool, the spiritual home of Cunard, for
the first time.
For more information about Queen
Victoria, Queen Mary 2 or Queen Elizabeth, or to book a voyage, call
Cunard at 1-800-628-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.
About Cunard
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2,
Queen Victoria and
Queen Elizabeth, has long
been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome
of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled
steamer, Britannia, crossed the
Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded
travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard
hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and
world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly
scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of
world cruising which it began in 1922.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member
of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also
includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess
Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please
each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading
Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation
experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching
cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit
us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
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For additional information about Cunard,
contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard
Line, 661-753-1035, jchase@cunard.com
Maria Andriano, MGA Media Group,
212-251-1015, maria@mgamediagroup.com
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SOURCE Cunard