Declaration Of Arbroath Goes On Display At National Museum Of Scotland

The Declaration of Arbroath is going on display for the first time in 18 years at the National Museum of Scotland .

One of the most important documents in Scottish history, the Declaration of Arbroath was probably drafted at a meeting of the King and his council at Newbattle, then written up in the scriptorium of Arbroath Abbey. Written in Latin, it was sealed by eight earls and about forty barons.

It was written during the long Wars of Independence with England when, despite the Scots’ success at the Battle of Bannockburn, Robert I had not been recognised as king by either Edward II or by the Pope, and had been excommunicated by the latter.

Cared for and preserved by the National Records of Scotland, the 703 year-old document will be on show from 3 June – 2 July 2023.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of the most important documents in Scottish history – 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. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see it.

Find out more about the Declaration of Arbroath