#Juneathon Day 15 - the Ankerwycke Yew, signing of the Magna Carta and then the pub

Went with a walking group around Wraysbury this evening and visited the Ankerwycke Yew on the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. The ancient yew is believed to have watched over the signing of the Magna Carta. It is also believed that Henry VIII met Anne Boleyn there. The yew is thought to be 1500 to 2500 years old. Met some of the ECO-villagers there too.

The area has always had special significance and across the Thames are the meadows of Runnymede, "Runnymede, said to be called the meadow of the Runes, or magical charms, the field of mystery, and the field of council" (Gordon Gyll, History of Wraysbury, 1861).  What I had not realised is that the Thames has changed course several times since the signing of the Magna Carta and you can see a previous route on the walk that we did.

Of course the Queen had earlier been unveiling the statue of herself at Runnymede (i.e. across the river) but the real action is said to have happened on this side of the river.  Some historians dispute the significance but regardless of this, it is what it represents to us today.  Last night was a calm, still, beautiful summer's evening and hardly any people were around this ancient yew (despite all the celebrations earlier) and if we choose to mark the signing of the Magna Carta as a step towards democracy in the world then let's hope that the future yields more of the calmness that was about yesterday evening.

That was my Juneathon exercise for the day, not that bad really as it acted as a recovery walk after my long run on Saturday. We did end up in the pub afterwards and that was really good for recovery!