AS Britain prepares to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta on Monday, it’s good to reflect on the role Essex played in its foundation and some of the landmarks that remain today.

It was Robert FitzWalter, from Little Dunmow, who led the rebellious barons.

Indeed, in letters he wrote at the time, Robert styled himself as the “Marshal of the Army of God”.

He was supported by Robert DeVere, from Hedingham, Geoffrey De Mandeville of Pleshey and Richard De Montfitchet, whose family gave its name to Stansted Mountfitchet.

Together, these four formed part of what was the most influential bloc of the rebel alliance – the Anglian barons – so it could be said that Essex played the lead role in shaping what we still refer to by its original Latin name, Magna Carta.

Today, a faithful recreation of a Norman wooden motte and bailey defensive structure is a popular visitor attraction on the site of Richard’s original castle. The grounds also feature a Norman village that vividly brings to life the sights, sounds and smells of the Middle Ages. You can still see some remains of the original 12th Century castle as you explore the 10-acre site.

The magnificent keep that forms Hedingham Castle dates back to 1140 and would still be familiar to Robert DeVere if he was alive today.

Hedingham was built by Aubrey De Vere II, whose father had fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman invasion of 1066. To commemorate the anniversary of Magna Carta and the close involvement of Robert de Vere, Hedingham Castle will stage a spectacular day full of history, rebellion and battles.

In the south of the county, the romantic ruins of Hadleigh Castle, just outside Leigh, also have a direct link to “Bad” King John. In 1215, he gave the area of land, known as the manor of Hadleigh, to Hubert de Burgh, his chief minister or justiciar.

Hubert was a trusted follower of the king, and was the custodian of two important royal castles at Windsor and Dover. At Dover, he was soon to prove his great military skill by successfully defending the castle during a fierce siege in 1216. Effectively ruler of England during young Henry III’s childhood, Hubert built this large turreted castle as a statement of his power.

Sadly, all that remains of Pleshey Castle today are the substantial earthworks.

For more information about all the places mentioned and other places of historical interest in Essex, go to visitessex.com