New Zealand's oldest copy of one of history's most famous documents is open to the public for the first time.
University of Canterbury has put its 1531 copy of the Magna Carta on display, only weeks after discovering its royal links.
Last month it was discovered the university's copy was originally owned by Richard Sampson, one of Henry VIII's lawyers in his divorce from Anne Boleyn.
Curator and historian Chris Jones said he and a team of researchers had managed to unravel the link from a note on the cover.
"At the time it was the latest, up-to-date guide to English law, and Sampson would have had it in his hand when he acted in Anne Boleyn's trial," he said.
The small edition of the historic text is one of two from the 16th century in New Zealand.
Due to its age and fragility, it can usually only be viewed by academics.
University of Canterbury's Mana of the Magna Carta exhibition will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the original text and runs until Sunday.
The Magna Carta is a 13th century charter that became a cornerstone of Britain's unwritten constitution and is considered one of the most famous documents in the world.
The text contained the principle that all people, including the king, were subject to the law and included several clauses that became symbolically important in centuries to come, including granting all "free men" the right to a fair trial.
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