On a recent Thames Kayaking trip, the Suzy Guides‘ team of David Ingham, Ian P. Hardy and Annie Coburn, stopped on the bank of the River Thames to have a picnic and rest after kayaking 4 miles down the River Thames.
David, our historian and architect of the walks for Walk London, gave us some history of Runnymeade and the Magna Carta, which John I signed at this location. In addition to this historic signing, is a memorial to John F. Kennedy dedicated to him in 1965 after his assassination.
David gives you a concise history of both the Magna Carta and the memorial to JFK:
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The Magna Carta had an impact on constitutional law as well as political representation and the future development of parliament. Runnymede has a strong association with ideals of democracy, limitation of power, equality and freedom under law.
The inscription on the monument to JFK reads: ‘This acre of English ground was given to the United States of America by the people of Britain in memory of John F. Kennedy, born 19th May, 1917: President of the United States 1961-63: died by an assassin’s hand 22nd November,1963. “Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty”: from the inaugural address of President Kennedy, January 1961.’
