Bystander foiled plot to steal Magna Carta: The power of passion

I will always remember standing before the Magna Carta, one
of the most significant documents ever produced.

This charter of liberties, first created in 1215, placed
England’s King John under the rule of law and served as the foundation for the
English system of common law. America’s founding fathers considered the charter
to be historic precedent for their work in establishing our nation’s freedom.

Four copies of the 1215 Magna Carta exist today: two in the
British Museum, one in Lincoln Castle, (143 miles north of London), and one in
Salisbury Cathedral (eighty-eight miles west of London). A few years ago, I
stood before the copy in the Salisbury Cathedral for a long time, marveling at
the power of its words to change human history.

In October 2018, a would-be thief named Mark Royden carefully plotted to steal this priceless document. He allegedly scouted out the position of CCTV cameras and the layout of the cathedral. Then he tried to smash through reinforced glass with a hammer to get to the document. He also reportedly set off a fire alarm to cause confusion.

However, Royden was tackled by Gary Price, the cathedral’s
clerk of works, and by American tourists Matt and Alexis Delcambre. He then ran
off but was caught by stonemasons working at the cathedral. His trial is now
underway.

The Delcambres had no idea when they came to the cathedral
that day that they would make history by helping to preserve history. They were
simply available in the moment, risking themselves to do whatever they could.
All the future generations that see the Magna Carta in this magnificent
cathedral will be in their debt.

Much of what we do to impact the world happens in this way.

The power of passion

Moses didn’t know before he encountered the burning bush
that he would lead his people from Egyptian slavery. David didn’t know before
he fought Goliath that their battle would make the pages of Scripture. Peter
didn’t know before…