The Declaration of Arbroath laid out on a grey foam protective base set against a black background. The Declaration has dense Latin script across it with two small patches missing, and many strips dangling from the bottom affixed with green and red wax seals.
Past exhibitions

The Declaration of Arbroath

–

National Museum of Scotland

About The Declaration of Arbroath

The Declaration of Arbroath is a letter dated 6 April 1320 written by the barons and freeholders of the Kingdom of Scotland to Pope John XXII. The letter asked the pope to recognise Scotland's independence and acknowledge Robert the Bruce as the country's lawful king.

Despite the Scots' success at the Battle of Bannockburn, Robert I had not been recognised as king by either King Edward II of England or the Pope. At the time, the Pope desired peace between England and Scotland so that both kingdoms could help in a crusade to the Holy Land. The Declaration sought to influence him by offering the possibility of support from the Scots for his long-desired crusade if they no longer had to fear English invasion.

Written in Latin, it was sealed by eight earls and about 40 barons. It was authenticated by seals, as documents at that time were not signed. Only 19 seals now remain.

The surviving Declaration is a medieval copy of the letter, the original having been dispatched to the pope in Avignon. It is cared for by National Records of Scotland and is so fragile that it can only be displayed occasionally in order to ensure its long-term preservation. 

Read a full transcription from The National Records of Scotland.

In partnership with

You might also like

  1. A book illustration of a man with curly hair and a beard looking upwards, wearing a beret, an armour breast and a coat over it.

    Who was Rob Roy MacGregor?

    History and cultures, Scotland

    Born in Glengyle in 1671, Robert McGregor would became famous as an outlaw, known as the 'Scottish Robin Hood'. McGregor's nickname ‘Rob Roy’ comes from Ruadh, which means red in Gaelic – a reference to his fiery red hair. Rob Roy the…
    Short read
  2. A black and white document showing plans of a boat intended as a slave ship. There are illustrations of where people will be squeezed in on the boat.

    The experiences of enslaved people

    Written by Lisa Williams
    Stowage of the British Slave Ship ‘Brookes’British ships transported over 3 million African people between 1662 and 1807, with up to 25% of all captive people dying on the journey. The first captive might have had to wait as long as seven…
    Long read
  3. A silver coin with inscription to the edge and a profile portrait of a man in shoulder length curly hair wearing metal armour.

    Exile, rebellion, and vanquishment: The Jacobite challenge

    History and cultures, Scotland

    In 1689, James VII and II was deposed. There then followed over half a century of attempts to reclaim the throne of Great Britain for the Stuart dynasty: the Jacobite challenge. National Museums Scotland now cares for a variety of objects…
    Short read