REPRESENTATIVES from Trowbridge joined the Magna Carta Baronial Army at a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of London on Tuesday to commemorate the seizing of the capital in 1215.

The group, which included mayor Glyn Bridges, town clerk Lance Allan and town crier Trevor Heeks, were invited to Mansion House along with representatives from the communities of the caputs, or headquarters, of all 25 Magna Carta enforcers.

Henry de Bohun, from Trowbridge, was one of the rebel barons who rejected King John as king, which resulted in him retaliating by ordering his sheriffs to seize the lands and goods of the barons.

The assembling of the Army commemorates the seizing of London by forces supporting the barons on the May 17, 1215, which gave the Magna Carta barons leverage to compel King John to negotiate and force him to seal the Magna Carta.

Andy Milroy, who is involved in organising Trowbridge’s Magna Carta celebrations and was part of the Trowbridge contingent, said: “The main thing that came out of the trip was how proud it made us of what Henry de Bohun achieved.

“The event at Mansion House was really good and it was great that representatives from all of the 25 Magna Carta enforcers were able to come together 800 years after the signing of the charter.

“We have been talking regularly with the other towns and villages organising events for the Magna Carta anniversary about what they are doing and this was a great way to celebrate together.

“It was a chance to recognise the barons seizing London, which was pivotal as without it King John would not have negotiated with the barons and the Magna Carta may have never been.”

The event hosted by Alan Yarrow, Lord Mayor of the City of London, included a talk from Professor Nicholas Vincent, from the University of East Anglia, who is searching archives across the UK and France for the Magna Carta Project.

Following the event at Mansion House, some of the Trowbridge representatives visited The British Library to see an exhibition featuring documents and artefacts that tell the story of the Magna Carta.

Angela Milroy, who was also part of the Trowbridge Magna Carta group with her husband, added: “It was an amazing experience and the exhibition at The British Library was absolutely fascinating.”