Egham Museum commissioned songwriter Jenny Lockyer to produce a series of four songs and animated films to explore the history, significance and legacy of Magna Carta. These songs provide a great way to introduce pupils to the subject, key events and personalities and themes of the topic. The songs can also be used as the foundation for a series of classroom activities, including but not limited to pupils writing their own Magna Carta songs or additional verses to Jenny’s songs, analysing Jenny’s lyrics and researching the events and people featured or creating their own art work and animations to accompany the songs.
In this song of epic proportions Jenny takes us on a journey from Runnymede in 1215 through to modern day, stopping off at key moments in the struggle for liberty and equality. An excellent way for pupils to explore the history of liberty and the legacy of Magna Carta. Download Read more…
In this song Jenny Lockyer explores the relationship between Magna Carta, Runnymede, liberty and America. Jenny touches upon how Magna Carta both inspired the creation and then justified the expansion of America, the complex relationship between the American ideal of liberty and its practice and the modern American interest in Read more…
The human stories behind the clauses of Magna Carta is the theme of Jenny’s second song. How many Magna Carta clauses can you spot in the lyrics? Download the lyrics here
In this song Jenny looks at the reign of King John and the road to Runnymede and Magna Carta through the eyes of John’s son, the future Henry III. Illustrations courtesy of Louella, aged nine. Download the lyrics here