AN historian from Bishopdown has found his own special way to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta by penning a poem mark the occasion.

Alan Doel narrated his version of the Magna Carta story describing the events of 1215 in "pint-sized portions".

Although technically an 'epic' poem it is written in the Longfellow style — which is a simple sing-song with each line comprising of eight syllables.

It is designed as an easier style for the reader to follow and Alan hopes that the poetry will act as a "gateway" for people to find out more about the Magna Carta story.

He said: "[It is] a simple verse-form, the same as used by Longfellow when he wrote his Hiawatha, an amenable and flowing style ideal to rendering big ideas in an approachable way."

The poem is split into 11 sections, each telling a different part of the story, with the first five dedicated to what happened on the day in Runnymede with the following parts exploring King John's reputation in Europe.

Alan says that he has sympathy with the plight of King John believing that historians from the time cast him as the villain.

He said: "Between the Norman Conquest and the pledging of Magna Carta, England went from a martial kingship almost to the rule of parliament and peerage under Henry III – there were so many influences on a quickly changing world, including the Crusades and the Gothic architecture. Magna Carta was a staging post on this journey to democracy."

“I hope my unique rendering of this story will act as a doorway for many people into this period of history.”

Magna Carta – The Whole Story by Alan Doel, is available free-to watch via YouTube, and can be found on the internet by searching for 'Alan Doel Magna Carta'.