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Baronial Order of Magna Charta facts for kids

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The Baronial Order of Magna Charta ("BOMC") is a special group founded in 1898. It's a scholarly, charitable, and lineage society. This means it focuses on learning, helping others, and connecting people through family history.

The group was first called the Baronial Order of Runnemede. But its name was changed to better show its main goals. These goals are all about the Magna Charta and spreading the idea of "freedom for people under the rule of law."

What is the BOMC?

The BOMC is a non-profit organization based in Pennsylvania. It has three main purposes: research, charity, and education.

The BOMC, along with the Magna Charta Research Foundation, works to "encourage the study and practice of the Magna Charta." They want people to understand its history and how its ideas, like self-determination and the rule of law, have grown over time.

To do this, the BOMC does several things:

  • It keeps important documents and books about the Magna Charta safe.
  • It offers scholarships and educational programs.
  • It works with the Magna Charta Trust in the United Kingdom. This helps both groups preserve history and educate people.

Since 1993, the BOMC has had a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Magna Charta Trust. This shows how important their work is. The BOMC is also an approved lineage group in the Hereditary Society Community of the United States of America.

How to Join the BOMC

To become a member of the BOMC, you need to be a good person. You also need to show that you are a descendant of one of the twenty-five Magna Charta Surety Barons. These barons were important noblemen who helped make the Magna Charta.

You prove your family connection using things like old records or family trees. These are called "genealogical proofs."

Here are the twenty-five Magna Charta Surety Barons:

People can also join if they are descendants of other supporters of the Magna Charta, even if they weren't "Surety" barons. These include William III d'Aubigny, Hubert de Burgh, Alan of Galloway, William Marshall Sr., and William IV de Warenne.

Even if you don't have a family link to these historical figures, you might still be able to join. If you are a good person and are very interested in what the BOMC does, you can be considered for membership.

The BOMC has a list of "gateway" immigrants. These are people who came to the United States and were descendants of Magna Charta Barons. Many of their families played big roles in American history. For example, the family of George Washington came from William d'Aubigny. Also, Anne Hutchinson, an important figure in early American history, was a descendant of several surety barons.

Famous Members and Award Winners

Many important people have been members of the BOMC or have received awards from them.

Some notable members include:

  • Frederick H. Winston, a diplomat and founder of the law firm Winston & Strawn.
  • Charles W. Darling, who was an Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
  • William S. Sessions, a Federal Judge and Director of the FBI.
  • Hugh Scott, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.
  • Dorsey B. Hardeman, an important politician from Texas.
  • Martin W. Clement, a major railroad leader in the 20th century.

The BOMC also gives out a special Magna Charta Day Award. Some famous people who have received this award are:

  • Sir Winston Churchill, who was a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
  • General Douglas MacArthur, a famous American military leader.
  • President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a former U.S. President.
  • Lords Donaldson and Woolf, who were Masters of The Rolls of England (important judges).
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