The Ankerwycke yew of Runnymede is a mere pipsqueak to the Ashbrittle Yew, which stands in the Church of St. John the Baptist’s churchyard in the Somerset village of that name
On 19 June 1215, sheltered by a yew tree in meadow by the Thames River, King John delivered the Magna Carta on demand of the barons. The first document of the English constitution derives its name from Medieval Latin, literally Great Charter. It is sometimes referred to erroneously as ‘Magna Charta’ – and equally erroneously a being signed by King John. In fact, he sealed it.
