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"as long as but a hundred of us
remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It
is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for
freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."
Foremost among Scotland’s
state papers is The Declaration of Arbroath. It is the best known of the
treasures of the National Archives of Scotland and is famous the world over. It
is an example of a more elaborate document that has seals attached.
The Declaration is a letter from the earls and barons of
Scotland to the Pope, asking him to recognise Scotland's
independence and acknowledge Robert the Bruce as the country's
lawful king.
It was written during the long war of independence with
England which started with Edward I's attempt to conquer
Scotland in 1296. When the deaths of Alexander III and his
granddaughter left Scotland without a monarch, Edward used the
invitation to help choose a successor as an excuse to revive
English claims of overlordship. When the Scots resisted, he
invaded. Wallace's victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297 won a
temporary respite, but Edward refused to relinquish his
claims. In 1306 Bruce seized the throne and began a long
struggle to free Scotland from the invaders. His success at
Bannockburn in 1314 did not end the war, but it allowed normal
government to be re-established. However the English still
refused to recognise Scotland's independence or Bruce's
position as king.
On the European front, by 1320 Scottish relations with the
Papacy were in crisis after they defied papal efforts to
establish a truce with England. When the Pope excommunicated
the king and three of his bishops, the Scots sent the
Declaration of Arbroath as part of a diplomatic
counter-offensive. The original letter delivered to the Pope
in Avignon is lost, but we know it reached him. He wrote to
Edward II urging him to make peace, but it was not until 1328
that Scotland’s independence was acknowledged.
The Declaration was probably drawn up by Bernard, Abbot of
Arbroath and Chancellor of Scotland. Documents at that time
were not signed but seals were attached for authentication.
Eight earls and thirty-eight barons put their seals to the
Declaration. Their names were written by a clerk at the foot
of the parchment.
The document in the NAS is the only surviving copy of the
Declaration. It was kept with the rest of the national
archives in Edinburgh Castle until the early 17th century.
When work was being done on the castle, the Declaration was
taken for safekeeping to Tynninghame, the home of the official
in charge of the records. While there it suffered damage
through damp, but we have the full text from an earlier
engraving. It returned to the national archives in 1829.
The Declaration is a moving statement of Scotland's
independence and of support for Robert I. It is an outstanding
example of the diplomatic Latin style of the time, with its
use of scriptural and classical quotations. The document
emphasises Scotland’s long history as an independent Christian
kingdom and describes the country’s sufferings under Edward’s
aggression. Its rich language and rhythm build steadily to a
climax in the well known phrase
Original written in Latin
The
English Translation below
Sanctissimo
Patri in Christo ac Domino, domino Johanni, diuina prouidiencia Sacrosancte
Romane et Vniuersalis Ecclesie Summo Pontifici, Filii Sui Humiles et deuoti
Duncanus Comes de Fyf, Thomas Ranulphi Comes Morauie Dominus Mannie et Vallis
Anandie, Patricius de Dumbar Comes Marchie, Malisius Comes de Stratheryne,
Malcolmus Comes de Leuenax, Willelmus Comes de Ross, Magnus Comes Cathanie et
Orkadie et Willelmus Comes Suthirlandie; Walterus Senescallus Scocie, Willelmus
de Soules Buttelarius Scocie, Jacobus Dominus de Duglas, Rogerus de Moubray,
Dauid Dominus de Brechyn, Dauid de Graham, Ingeramus de Vmfrauille, Johannes de
Menetethe Custos Comitatus de Menetethe, Alexander Fraser, Gilbertus de Haya
Constabularius Scocie, Robertus de Keth Marescallus Scocie, Henricus de Sancto
Claro, Johannes de Graham, Dauid de Lindesay, Willelmus Olifaunt, Patricius de
Graham, Johannes de Fentoun, Willelmus de Abirnithy, Dauid de Wemys, Willelmus
de Montefixo, Fergusius de Ardrossane, Eustachius de Maxwell, Willelmus de
Ramesay, Willelmus de Montealto, Alanus de Morauia, Douenaldus Cambell, Johannes
Cambrun, Reginaldus le chen, Alexander de Setoun, Andreas de Lescelyne, et
Alexander de Stratoun, Ceterique Barones et Liberetenenetes ac tota Communitas
Regni Scocie, omnimodam Reuerenciam filialem cum deuotis Pedum osculis beatorum.
Scimus,
Sanctissime Pater et Domine, et ex antiquorum gestis et libris Colligimus quod
inter Ceteras naciones egregias nostra scilicet Scottorum nacio multis preconijs
fuerit insignita, que de Maiori Schithia per Mare tirenium et Columpnas Herculis
transiens et in Hispania inter ferocissimas gentes per multa temporum curricula
Residens a nullis quantumcumque barbaricis poterat allicubi gentibus subiugari.
Indeque veniens post mille et ducentos annos a transitu populi israelitici per
mare rubrum sibi sedes in Occidente quas nunc optinet, expulsis primo Britonibus
et Pictis omnino deletis, licet per Norwagienses, Dacos et Anglicos sepius
inpugnata fuerit, multis cum victorijs et Laboribus quamplurimis adquisuit,
ipsaque ab omni seruitute liberas, vt Priscorum testantur Historie, semper
tenuit. In quorum Regno Centum et Tredescim Reges de ipsorum Regali prosapia,
nullo alienigena interueniente, Regnauerunt.
Quorum
Nobilitates et Merita, licet ex aliis non clarerent, satis patenter effulgent ex
eo quod Rex Regum et dominancium dominus Jhesus Christus post passionem suam et
Resurreccionem ipsos in vltimis terre finibus constitutos quasi primos ad suam
fidem sanctissimam conuocauit. Nec eos per quemlibet in dicta fide confirmari
voluit set per suum primum apostolum vocacione quamuis ordine secundum vel
tercium, sanctum Andream mitissimum beati Petri Germanum, quem semper ipsis
preesse voluit vt Patronum.
Hec
autem Sanctissimi Patres et Predecessores vestri sollicita mente pensantes ipsum
Regnum et populum vt beati Petri germani peculium multis fauoribus et
priuilegijs quamplurimis Munierunt, Ita quippe quod gens nostra sub ipsorum
proteccione hactenus libera deguit et quieta donec ille Princeps Magnificus Rex
Anglorum Edwardus, pater istius qui nunc est, Regnum nostrum acephalum
populumque nullius mali aut doli nec bellis aut insultibus tunc assuetum sub
amici et confederati specie inimicabiliter infestauit. Cuius iniurias, Cedes,
violencias, predaciones, incendia, prelatorum incarceraciones, Monasteriorum
combustiones, Religiosorum spoliaciones et occisiones alia quoque enormia et
innumera que in dicto populo exercuit, nulli parcens etati aut sexui, Religioni
aut ordini, nullus scriberet nec ad plenum intelligeret nisi quem experiencia
informaret.
A
quibus Malis innumeris, ipso Juuante qui post uulnera medetur et sanat, liberati
sumus per strenuissimum Principem, Regem et Dominum nostrum, Dominum Robertum,
qui pro populo et hereditate suis de manibus Inimicorum liberandis quasi alter
Machabeus aut Josue labores et tedia, inedias et pericula, leto sustinuit animo.
Quem eciam diuina disposicio et iuxta leges et Consuetudines nostra, quas vsque
ad mortem sustinere volumus, Juris successio et debitus nostrorum omnium
Consensus et Assensus nostrum fecerunt Principem atque Regem, cui tanquam illi
per quem salus in populo nostro facta est pro nostra libertate tuenda tam Jure
quam meritis tenemur et volumus in omnibus adherere.
Quem
si ab inceptis desisteret, regi Anglorum aut Anglicis nos aut Regnum nostrum
volens subicere, tanquam inimicum nostrum et sui nostrique Juris subuersorem
statim expellere niteremur et alium Regem nostrum qui ad defensionem nostram
sufficeret faceremus. Quia quamdiu Centum ex nobis viui remanserint, nuncquam
Anglorum dominio aliquatenus volumus subiugari. Non enim propter gloriam,
diuicias aut honores pugnamus set propter libertatem solummodo quam Nemo bonus
nisi simul cum vita amittit. Hinc est, Reuerende Pater et Domine, quod
sanctitatem vestram omni precum instancia genuflexis cordibus exoramus quatinus
sincero corde Menteque pia recensentes quod apud eum cuius vices in terris
geritis cum non sit Pondus nec distinccio Judei et greci, Scoti aut Anglici,
tribulaciones et angustias nobis et Ecclesie dei illatas ab Anglicis paternis
occulis intuentes, Regem Anglorum, cui sufficere debet quod possidet cum olim
Anglia septem aut pluribus solebat sufficere Regibus, Monere et exhortari
dignemini vt nos scotos, in exili degentes Scocia vltra quam habitacia non est
nichilque nisi nostrum Cupientes, in pace dimittat. Cui pro nostra procuranda
quiete quicquid possumus, ad statum nostrum Respectu habito, facere volumus cum
effectu.
Vestra
enim interest, sancte Pater, hoc facere qui paganorum feritatem, Christianorum
culpis exigentibus, in Christianos seuientem aspicitis et Christianorum terminos
arctari indies, quantumque vestre sanctitatis memorie derogat si (quod absit)
Ecclesia in aliqua sui parte vestris temporibus patiatur eclipsim aut Scandalum,
vos videritis. Excitet igitur Christianos Principes qui non causam vt causam
ponentes se fingunt in subsidium terre sancte propter guerras quas habent cum
proximis ire non posse. Cuius inpedimenti Causa est verior quod in Minoribus
proximis debellandis vtilitas proprior et resistencia debilior estimantur. Set
quam leto corde dictus dominus Rex noster et Nos si Rex Anglorum nos is pace
dimitteret illus iremus qui nichil ignorat satis novit. Quod Christi vicario
totique Christianitati ostendimus et testamur.
Quibus
si sanctitas vestra Anglorum relatibus nimis credula fidem sinceram non adhibeat
aut ipsis in nostram confusionem fauere non desinat, corporum excidia, animarum
exicia, et cetera que sequentur incomoda que ipsi in nobis et Nos in ipsis
fecerimus vobis ab altissimo credimus inputanda.
ilii
vobis tanquam ipsius vicario parati in omnibus complacere, ipsique tanquam Summo
Regi et Judici causam nostram tuendam committimus, Cogitatium nostrum Jactantes
in ipso sperantesque firmiter quod in nobis virtutem faciet et ad nichilum
rediget hostes nostros.
Sanctitatem
ac sanitatem vestram conseruet altissimus Ecclesie sue sancte per tempora
diuturna.
Datum
apud Monasterium de Abirbrothoc in Scocis Sexto die mensis Aprilis Anno gracie
Millesimo Trescentesimo vicesimo Anno vero Regni Regis nostri supradicti Quinto
decimo.
Endorsed:
Littere directe ad dominum Supremum Pontificem per communitatem Scocie.
__________________________________________________________________________
English
Translation
To
the most Holy Father and Lord in Christ, the Lord John, by divine providence
Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Roman and Universal Church, his humble and devout
sons Duncan, Earl of Fife, Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, Lord of Man and of
Annandale, Patrick Dunbar, Earl of March, Malise, Earl of Strathearn, Malcolm,
Earl of Lennox, William, Earl of Ross, Magnus, Earl of Caithness and Orkney, and
William, Earl of Sutherland; Walter, Steward of Scotland, William Soules, Butler
of Scotland, James, Lord of Douglas, Roger Mowbray, David, Lord of Brechin,
David Graham, Ingram Umfraville, John Menteith, guardian of the earldom of
Menteith, Alexander Fraser, Gilbert Hay, Constable of Scotland, Robert Keith,
Marischal of Scotland, Henry St Clair, John Graham, David Lindsay, William
Oliphant, Patrick Graham, John Fenton, William Abernethy, David Wemyss, William
Mushet, Fergus of Ardrossan, Eustace Maxwell, William Ramsay, William Mowat,
Alan Murray, Donald Campbell, John Cameron, Reginald Cheyne,
Alexander Seton,
Andrew Leslie, and Alexander Straiton, and the other barons and freeholders and
the whole community of the realm of Scotland send all manner of filial
reverence, with devout kisses of his blessed feet.
From
the deeds alike and the books of our forefathers, we understand, Most Holy Lord
and Father, that among other noble nations our own, the Scottish, grows famous
for many men of wide renown. The which Scottish nation, journeying from Greater
Scythia by the Tyrrhene Sea and the Pillars of Hercules, could not in any place
or time or manner be overcome by the barbarians, though long dwelling in Spain
among the fiercest of them. Coming thence, twelve hundred years after the
transit of Israel, with many victories and many toils they won that habitation
in the West, which though the Britons have been driven out, the Picts effaced,
and the Norwegians, Danes and English have often assailed it, they hold now, in
freedom from all vassalage; and as the old historians bear witness, have ever so
held it. In this kingdom have reigned a hundred and thirteen kings of their own
Blood Royal, and no man foreign has been among them. Of their merits and their
noble qualities we need say no more, for they are bright enough by this alone,
that though they were placed in the furthest ends of the earth, Our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who is the King of Kings, called them amongst the first to His most firm
faith, after His Passion and Resurrection. Nor did He choose to confirm them in
the Lords Faith by any one less than His own first Apostle (although he stands
second or third in order of rank) the most gracious Andrew, brother of Peter's
self, whom ever since He has established their Patron.
Bearing
all these things carefully in mind, those holiest of fathers, your predecessors,
adorned and fortified this kingdom and people, as belonging especially to
Peter's brother, with many favours and many privileges. Thus our nation till now
has lived under their protection in peace and quiet, till the Magnificent
Prince, Edward King of the English, the father of the Edward that now is, did,
under cover of alliance and friendship, invade and occupy as an enemy our
kingdom and people, who then had no head, who had in mind no evil towards him,
and who then were unused to war or sudden invasion. What that king has done in
wrongs and slaughter and violence, in imprisonings of the leaders of the Church,
in burning and looting of religious houses and the massacres of their
communities, with his other outrages on the Scottish people (sparing nor sex nor
age nor priestly orders) is something that is not to be comprehended save by
those who know these things from their own experience.
Yet,
at last, by His help Who heals and sains the wounded, we are freed from these
innumerable evils by our most valiant Sovereign, King, and Lord, King Robert,
who to set free his heritage and his people faced, alike a new Maccabeus or
Joshua, with joyful heart, toil, weariness, hardship, and dangers. By the
providence of God, the right of succession, those laws and customs which we are
resolved to defend even with our lives and by our own just consent, he is our
King: and to him who has brought salvation to his people through the
safeguarding of our liberties, as much by his own deserving as by his own
rights, we hold and choose in all things to adhere. Yet Robert himself, should
turn aside from the task that he has begun, and yield Scotland or us to the
English king and people, we should cast out as the enemy of us all, as subverter
of our rights and of his own, and should choose another king to defend our
freedom: for so long as a hundred of us are left alive, we will yield in no
least way to English dominion. We fight not for glory nor for wealth nor honours;
but only and alone we fight for freedom, which no good man surrenders but with
his life.
Because
of these things, most reverend Father and Lord, praying earnestly from our
hearts that before Him as Whose Vicar on Earth you reign, before Him to Whom
their is but a single weight, Who has but one law for Jew and Greek and for
Scots and English -- before Him will with honesty consider the manifest anguish
and tribulation which we and the Church have suffered through the English, and
will look upon us with a father's eyes. We pray you to admonish this King of
England (to whom his possessions may well suffice, since England of old was
enough for seven kings or more) that he should leave us in peace in our little
Scotland, since we desire no more than is our own, and have no dwelling place
beyond our own borders: and we on our part, for the sake of peace, are willing
to do all within our power.
Most
Holy Father, it is our part to do this, or surrender to the barbarity of the
heathen, let loose for the sins of Christians on the Faithful, and daily forcing
the bounds of Christendom, and you know it would mar the security of your fame
if you looked unmoved on anything which in your time should bring dishonour on
any part of the Church. May your Holiness therefore admonish those Christian
princes who falsely claim that their own wars with their neighbours now hinder
them from relieving the Holy Land: though indeed they are hindered only by their
belief that they will find more profit and less toil in crushing neighbours
smaller than themselves, who appear to them also weaker than themselves. He Who
knows all knows that if the King of the English would leave us in peace, we and
our own Lord King would go joyfully thither: which thing we solemnly testify and
declare to the Vicar of Christ and to all Christian people. But if too readily,
or insincerely, you put your faith in what the English have told you, and
continue to favour them, to our confounding, then indeed shall the slaying of
bodies, yea and of souls, and all those evils which they shall do to us, or we
to them, be charged to your account by the Most High.
We
are bound to you, as God's Viceregent, to please you by a son's obedience in all
things. We remit our cause to the Highest King and Judge, casting our care on
Him, in the hope and faith that He will grant us both strength and valour, and
bring about our enemies' overthrow.
May
the Most High preserve for many years Your Serene Highness to His Holy Church.
Given
at the Monastery of Arbroath in Scotland the sixth day of April in the year of
Grace one thousand three hundred and twenty, and in the fifteenth year of the
King named above.
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