Helmsley has been chosen to receive a facsimile copy of the Magna Carta to celebrate the world-famous document’s 800th anniversary.

Baron Robert de Ros of Helmsley Castle was one of the principal rebel barons who secured the charter from King John in 1215.

At Runnymede, beside the Thames, the baronial army met King John in June 1215 and there, 24 barons – and the Mayor of London – were chosen to ensure the king kept to his word.

Twenty of the 22 towns and villages that made up the chief manors in 1215 have come together to form the Magna Carta Barons Association and celebrate eight centuries of their communities’ history and the connection their barons had with a document that has become the foundation of the rights and liberties of much of the English-speaking world and beyond.

As well as Helmsley, a facsimile of the rare 1215 edition held by the British Library will be printed on parchment for villages and towns including the North Yorkshire communities of Skipton, Thirsk and Topcliffe.

Each facsimile will be displayed with two exhibition banners, one about the charter and the other about the local baron, to become the centrepiece of a wide range of events and activities being planned in the lead-up to June 2015.

After the celebrations are over, the facsimile in Helmsley will remain as a permanent reminder of its connection with Magna Carta for local residents, schoolchildren and visitors.

The facsimile and exhibition have been made possible by a grant of £12,500 to the Magna Carta Barons Association from the 800th Anniversary Commemoration Committee of the Magna Carta Trust.