four surviving copies of the the 18th century Magna Carta have gone on display in New York to mark document 's first anniversary . Lincoln Cathedral 's , or great charter , established the principle that no one -- including the King -- should be above the law . Academics and Magna Carta experts will also get a unique chance to study the four documents side-by-side , looking at differences in text , handwriting and condition for clues to their past . Security surrounding the priceless manuscripts , created by four different medieval scribes using sheepskin parchment and ink made of oak galls , is tight .
four surviving copies of the the 18th century Magna Carta have gone on display in New York to mark document 's first anniversary . Lincoln Cathedral 's , or great charter , established the principle that no one -- including the King -- should be above the law . Security surrounding the priceless manuscripts , created by four different medieval scribes using sheepskin parchment and ink made of oak galls , is tight .