DECLARATION OF SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH

1320

The Declaration of Arbroath is without doubt the most precious and

treasured historical document in the National Archives of Scotland.

It is the noblest statement of Scottish national sentiment
and feeling ever penned; written in an eloquent, scholarly,
yet heart-stirring vigorous mediaeval Latin prose;
an emotional outpouring of a Nation’s Pride and Dignity
and its Claim to Freedom.

The Declaration was written on behalf of the Community of the Realm of Scotland, at Arbroath,

by Bernard de Linton, Abbot of Arbroath, Chancellor of Scotland, 6th April, 1320
to Pope John XXII, at Avignon, France, as International Arbitrator,
It was a direct result of the solemn considerations of a Great Council of Earls,
Barons and Freeholders, who had foregathered at Newbattle Abbey,
near Edinburgh, in March of that year.

It bears the seals of eight Earls, thirty-eight Barons, and several Freeholders of the Realm of Scotland
(further seals have been appended).

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.

This was the first time in European history that Power and Rights were declared
by the People. It was made clear and plain to King Robert I (the Bruce)
in his presence, that he had a Nation’s true and loyal support
for so long as he returned this Loyalty.

Truly, it is one of the world’s great affirmations,
which will forever inspire all Scots - wherever they may be.

"For as long as but one hundred of us remain alive,
we will never on any conditions
submit to the domination of the English.
It is not for glory nor riches, nor honours that we fight,
but for freedom alone,
which no good man gives up except with his life."

View the Declaration

English and Latin