Salisbury Schools Magna Carta Competition
Winner: Years 5&6
Abigail Guicheteau, Leehurst Swan School
Alas, I the twister tongue twiddler have arrived.
I shall tell you a wonderful story heard far and wide,
It is the story of the great Magna Carta
A fine thing for England, a wonderful charter.
Now I shall stop babbling and let it be told
So watch, listen and let the truth unfold.
In the early days when John was a King
He especially thought gold was a wonderful thing.
He would change Barons’ daughters to wives
But when in war he’d take so many lives.
He raised tax on the people and received lots of gold.
He used the money for wars, but lost both, so I ‘m told.
The Barons were furious angry and mad,
They tried to come up with a plan to control the young lad.
So the Barons and the Archbishop of Canterbury met,
They came up with a charter so no one was upset.
The charter would go against all the things King John had done,
Therefore limiting all King John’s fun.
Then they marched into London welcomed with a great cheer
But the King still thought he had nothing to fear.
But then the king made up his mind and finally came through
So they met at Runnymede, this was the moment, they all knew.
They listed everything from daughters to tax
And finally King John sealed the Magna Carta, at last.
No more daughters to wives,
No more stealing innocent lives,
No more stealing land plots,
No more raising tax,
No more Barons’ anger reaching the max!
There was rejoicing and celebrations for they had done it all
And the Magna Carta still lives, proud and tall.
Alas my folks, my story has come to an end,
You are all probably so sad, a tissue I lend.
So I hope you remember the Barons and King John
For because of the Magna Carta our troubles have gone.
So if you’d like to see where the Magna Carta lay
Stop at Salisbury Cathedral today.
2nd Place: Years 5&6
Aoi Blank, Leaden Hall School
I have heard many things
So please allow me to sing.
For idleness could not foresee
King John’s absolute stupidity.
At Runnymede in 1215
Many barons gather, or so I have seen.
They fight for their rights
With their medieval knights.
At last the King is forced to sign
The document of great divine.
“Magna Carta,” they all cry.
“It is our freedom, by and by.”
The burning flame of people’s desire,
For freedom and rights we fight, never tire.
Sixty-three clauses through eight hundred years,
Freedom and rights to end our fears.
Only three remain today:
Habeas Corpus, Fair Trial and Human Rights.
Constitutions have been based upon thee
You are the world’s freedom key.
3rd place: Years 5&6
Oorvi Dabke, Leaden Hall School
She never gives up, she never says nope
Wearing a cloak of cleverness, a hat of hope.
Creased, crinkled, paper-like skin
But worth too much to just throw in the bin.
A bracelet of belief, wrinkles of worry
Plaits of patience, eyes of eternity.
She’s passed her reminder through the ages,
For she holds a vital and loved message.
Only four of her left today
But she hasn’t died out or faded away.
She lives in Salisbury, Lincoln, the British Library as well
And an important message she always will tell.
She’s seen many things from quarrels to wars
And though she tries to make peace not all will follow the law.
Though she’s usually happy, sometimes she cries
For she can’t bear badness, from violence to lies.
If we don’t act quick the human race will be at stake
Despite all the effort the messenger takes.
800 years old, too old to be true
But she’s still alive with me and you …
1st place: Years 3&4
Sophie Orange, Leaden Hall School
Misery spread through the land
A, misery caused by war and greed.
Greed of a King so ruthless
Nothing could stand in his way.
A group of Barons so discontented
Collaborated to form a plan.
A plan to rid them of soaring taxes.
Runnymede on Thames was to be
The favoured place to sign.
A promise of ensured feudal rights and laws – The Magna Carta.
2nd place: Years 3&4
India Vivian, Leaden Hall School
Magna Carta made on the 19th June 1215,
Popular everywhere but kept with good care,
Barons wrote this delicate thing.
But forced him to sign, otherwise kill the King.
King John though this was not right
And if people disagreed he would have to fight.
King John always getting his way,
Asked for taxes every day.
Magna Carta, meaning Great Charter
The Magna Carta all about rules,
The Barons got it right because they didn’t want to be fools.
No this subject to us is dear,
We will treasure it always, have no fear.
3rd Place: Years 3&4
Sophie Abbott, Leaden Hall School
Magna Carta, magnificent masterpiece manuscript.
A long time ago and angry King John ruled England
Ghastly wars were waged with France.
Nasty King John needed more money so he raised taxes.
Angry Barons feared for their wives and daughters.
Concerned Barons collected together to discuss a charter.
After they asked Robert Walter to help them,
Robert sent an army to London to threaten King John.
The King had no army so he had to give in to his barons.
At Runnymede on 19th June a meeting was held.
So the outcome was the Magna Carta.
Agreement was made that everyone was subject to the law.
Lasting happiness was not to be found.
In the document King John found fault.
So King John got the Pope to agree the King was invincible.
But after two years King John died.
Under guidance, 9 year old Henry ruled England.
Reissue of the Magna Carta was successful.
You would hope there was a happy ending – and there was!
Winner: Infants
Natalie Loader, Leaden Hall School
Someone’s scribbling and doodling on me
I really don’t like it
They need me so much but I really don’t know why
I am called parchment
I am made of pig skin.
I get stretched, squeezed and dried.
People use ink and a quill to write on me.
I’m very important.
They are folding me up and putting a hot seal on me.
Where are we going? It’s a mystery.
Someone’s opening me up.
Are they going to read me or chuck me in the bin?
They are reading me.
I’ve never been read before!
2nd place: Infants
Bronwen Llewellyn, Godolphin Prep
King John of medieval England
Awfully greedy King
Raised taxes
Very unpopular King
Quarrelled with Barons
Wore lots of shiny gold
Forced to seal Magna Carta
Everyone stared at him
Hoping he would seal it
River flowing gently by
Birds swooping by and flying by
And then he sealed it.
3rd place: Infants
Lexi Proudfoot, Godolphin Prep
At Runnymede the grass was green.
At Runnymede the sky was blue.
At Runnymede the trees were tall.
At Runnymede the river was long.
At Runnymede the Barons were cross.
At Runnymede the Archbishop was mad.
At Runnymede the King was greedy.
At Runnymede the Magna Carta was sealed.
At Runnymede the birds were singing.