A DOCUMENT that gave common people freedom of the land more than 800 years ago is to be honoured with exhibitions and events this summer.

The Charter Of The Forest, hailed as one of the "most important documents in history", will be the feature of shows at The Collection and Usher Gallery in Lincoln from Friday, May 27, to Sunday, September 4.

And heritage teams are so keen to promote the historic document they are planning to put on free rides to Chambers Farm Wood for more activities on August 6 and 7.

The charter previously attracted the attention of Hollywood star Russell Crow, who researched it as part of his preparations to play Robin Hood in the movie last year.

Jeremy Webster, visual arts co-ordinator for The Collection, said: "The Charter Of The Forest was a supplement to the Magna Carta and far more significant and important to more people. It is often referred to as the Everyman Charter.

"It even remained officially law until 1971, making it the longest official document of its kind in history and Lincoln Castle has one of only two copies left – but so few people know about it.

"This exhibition incorporates all themes based around woodland, as well as some political messages to reflect what is happening with regards to common land and woodland in today's society."

The Charter Of The Forest was issued in 1217 by King Henry III, to define the rights of the common man following on from the Magna Carta, which underscored personal liberties and freedoms for more high- ranking people, two years earlier.

It put an end to executions for poaching and allowed people to use woodland and common land more freely.

The exhibits will be a mixture of photography, painting and sculpture covering mystical woodland creatures, landscapes and some more unusual sculpture.

A sound artist has also spent the past year recording ambient sounds from Chambers Farm Wood which will be played in The Collection.

A free bus to take people to the woods, with room for up to 70, will leave The Collection at 11am and return at 3pm on August 6 and 7.

Alan Armstrong, of Lincoln Art Project, is organising the activities in the woods. He said: "The idea is to have a weekend of activities that focus on the woodland. There will be art, performances, film screenings, talks and guided walks."

Sculptures will be installed for the weekend, but elements will be left in the woods until September.

The project has been funded using £3,000 for The Collection exhibits and £8,000 for Chambers Farm Wood as part of the Igniting Ambition scheme, which aims to invest in culture ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.