Editing Runnymede (section)

== History ==
Runnymede's historical significance has been heavily influenced by its proximity to the [[Roman roads in Britain|Roman Road]] [[Crossings of the River Thames|river-crossing]] at nearby [[Staines-upon-Thames]].

The name Runnymede is believed to derive from the [[Middle English]] ''runinge'' (taking counsel) and ''mede'' (mead or meadow), describing a place in the meadows used to hold regular meetings.<ref>{{cite book |first1=J. E. B. |last1=Gover |first2=A. |last2=Mawer |author2-link=Allen Mawer |first3=F. M. |last3=Stenton |author3-link=Frank Stenton |title=The Place-Names of Surrey |series=[[English Place-Name Society]] |volume=11 |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1934 |page=124 |quote=There can be little doubt that the full original form of this name was ''Runingmed'' ... [and that] we are doubtless right in accepting the etymology ... that it is a compound of [[Middle English|ME]] ''runinge'', 'taking counsel' and ''mæd''. }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=A. D. |last=Mills |title=A Dictionary of English Place-Names |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |edition=2nd |year=1998 |orig-year=1991 |page=294 |quote=Meadow at the island where councils are held.}}</ref><ref>For an alternative theory, see {{cite book |last1=Mackay |first1=Charles |author-link1=Charles Mackay (author) |year=1877 |title=The Gaelic Etymology of the Languages of Western Europe: and more especially of the English and Lowland Scotch |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hq8VAAAAYAAJ |location=London |publisher=N. Trübner and Co. |page=375 |quote=Gaelic. - ''Raon'' (pronounced ''reun''), a field ; ''meadhon'', middle; i.e. "Runnymede," the middle field.}} </ref> The Witan, [[Witenagemot]] or Council of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of the 7th to 11th centuries met from time to time at Runnymede during the reign of [[Alfred the Great]] (871–899). The Council usually assembled in the open air. This political organ  transformed in succeeding years, influencing the creation of England's 13th-century [[Parliament of England|parliament]].

The water-meadow at Runnymede is the most likely location at which, in 1215, King [[John of England|John]] sealed [[Magna Carta]].<ref name="Tatton-Brown"/> The charter itself references Runnymede by name as "Ronimed. inter Windlesoram et Stanes" (between Windsor and Staines). Magna Carta affected common and constitutional law as well as political representation, also affecting the development of parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede/features/what-is-the-magna-carta|title=What is Magna Carta|last=Anon|work=Days out ad visits|publisher=National Trust|access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref>

Runnymede's association with ideals of democracy, limitation of power, equality and freedom under law has attracted the placement there of monuments and commemorative symbols.

The last fatal duel in England took place in 1852,<ref>[http://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2011/05/29/52309-film-sequel-is-big-surprise Film sequel is big surprise]. ''The Royal Borough Observer'', 27 May 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2013.</ref> on Priest Hill, a continuation of Cooper's Hill by [[Windsor Great Park]].

The National Trust land was donated in 1929 by [[Abbie G. Rogers#Cara Leland Rogers Duff Broughton: Lady Fairhaven|Cara Rogers Broughton]] and her two sons. The American-born widow of [[Urban Hanlon Broughton]], she was permitted by letter from [[George V]] to join her son's new [[peerage of the United Kingdom|peerage]] in tribute to her husband and this gift and be styled Lady Fairhaven. The gift was given in memory of Urban Broughton. At the time the ''[[The Standard-Times (New Bedford)|New Bedford Standard-Times]]'' commented: "It must be a source of gratification to all Americans, and especially to us here and in [[Fairhaven, Massachusetts|Fairhaven]], that the presentation of this historic spot as public ground has been brought about by an American woman, an appropriate enough circumstance considering that the great charter underlies the USA's conception of government and human rights."<ref name="Broughton">{{cite web|url= http://www.millicentlibrary.org/cara2.htm|title=Runnymede|last=Longworth|first=Carolyn |author2=Mabel Hoyle Knipe|work=Her Ladyship (Part Two) Some Memories of Cara Leland Rogers Broughton The first Lady Fairhaven|publisher=Millicent Library|access-date=1 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090120053742/http://millicentlibrary.org/cara2.htm|archive-date=20 January 2009}}</ref>

===Runnymede Eco Village===
Between 2012 and 2015, Cooper's Hill was occupied by a radical community living in self-build houses, huts, [[Bender tent| benders]], and tents in the self-proclaimed "Runnymede Eco Village". Around 40 people, including a few young families, lived in a dispersed settlement throughout the 4 acres of woodland. They used mainly reclaimed material to build living structures, solar power to generate electricity, wood-burners for heat, cultivated some vegetables and kept chickens and geese. Water was obtained from springs on the site, and the village was largely hidden from view from outside the woodland. The members called themselves "Diggers" after the 17th-century [[Diggers]] movement.

There were two unsuccessful attempts to evict the settlers in the first year of occupation; and on 30 March 2015 bailiffs served a further [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] trespass notice on behalf of the landowners, Orchard Runnymede Ltd. The settlers were still in occupation during the Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations on 15 June, but their presence did not affect proceedings, and the eviction was completed at a later date.<ref>{{cite web |first=Daniella |last=Zalcman |title=Runnymede Eco-village in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/gallery/2015/jun/15/runnymede-eco-village-in-pictures |work=[[The Guardian]] |date= 15 June 2015 |access-date= 9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jessica |last=Elgot |title=Hand-made village near Magna Carta memorial dismantled by bailiffs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/16/hand-made-village-near-magna-carta-memorial-dismantled-by-bailiffs |work=The Guardian |date=16 September 2015 |access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Strudwick |title=Runnymede eco-village eviction takes place as bailiffs enter site |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/runnymede-eco-village-eviction-takes-10057872 |work=[[Surrey Advertiser]] |date=17 September 2015 |access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Runnymede Festival |url=http://www.runnymede.community/ |work=Runnymede Eco village |date=12 June 2015 |access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>