
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
- Discover
The Old Pretender: An introduction to James ‘VIII’
Raised in exile, James Francis Edward Stuart (10 June 1688 – 1 January 1766) was the son of King James VII and II and his second wife, Mary of Modena. Who was James ‘VIII’?When the exiled King James VII and II died in 1701, his son James…Keep reading - Discover
From computer screen to finished fabric: ‘Hame’ tartan
National Museums Scotland holds an extensive collection of 19th and 20th century tartan swatches and design ephemera. In the past, it was usual for tartan manufacturers to design patterns using gridded paper, coloured pencils, inks,…Keep reading - Discover
Into the Hills: Digging for Scottish Gold
Written by Dr Sarah LaurensonIt’s February 2020 and I’m in a Land Rover roaring up the side of Beinn Chuirn. Ben Lui is behind me, a waterfall tumbles hundreds of feet from above and to my right Cononish Glen stretches out below, disappearing into a grey wall of…Keep reading