Declaration of Arbroath
The Declaration of Arbroath, German Declaration of Arbroath, is considered "Scottish Declaration of Independence ". The document, which proclaimed its independence from England, was signed in Arbroath Abbey ( Arbroath Abbey ) on April 6, 1320 and was addressed to Pope John XXII.
The original of the document was written in Latin and probably by Bernard de Linton, Abbot of Arbroath and Lord Chancellor of Scotland ( " Lord Chancellor of Scotland " ), manufactured.
The Declaration of Arbroath is the oldest known declaration of independence of a nation.
Historical Background
Since March 25, 1306 was Robert I ( Robert the Bruce ) King of Scotland.
On 23 and 24 June 1314, the English army was defeated at the Battle of Bannockburn by the Scots.
Content of the declaration
The deed of 51 Scottish Earls, magnates and nobles provided with the signatures and seals was as a letter to the French since 1316 residing in Avignon Pope John XXII. sent. The statement should reservations by the Pope against the termination of British rule over Scotland disperse and asked at the same time to mediation in the conflict with England.
However, the declaration also stipulated that Scotland's independence always was more important than the person of the Scottish king; thus declared the signatories that they would only support him as long as he was willing to protect the rights and interests of the nation:
" But Robert himself, he should abandon this task he has begun to turn away and agree that we or our kingdom would be subject to the English king or his people, we would cast him as an enemy of us all, as one who has undermined our and their rights, and would choose another king, so he defends our freedom; [ ... ] "
Fame the subsequent passage:
" [ ... ] Quia quamdiu Centum ex nobis vivi remanserint, nuncquam Anglorum dominio aliquatenus volumus subiugari. Non enim propter gloriam, divicias aut honores pugnamus set propter quam Nemo bonus nisi libertatem solummodo simul cum vita amittit. "
" [ ... ] For, 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 honors did we are fighting, but for freedom - for did alone, Which no honest man gives up but with life itself ".
" Long stay [ ... ] because only one hundred of us alive, you will never have to whatever conditions force us, under English rule. For we are not fighting for fame, not for riches or honor, but we only fight for the freedom that gives no honorable man, if not at the same time with his life. "
Follow
The declaration had its effect: Thanks to the mediation of Pope John XXII. it came on March 1, 1328 with the Treaty of Edinburgh and Northampton to a peace treaty between Scotland and England, where the English king Edward III. waived all claims against Scotland.
Whereabouts of the certificate
The original of the certificate sent to Avignon is lost; a copy is now in the Scottish National Archives in Edinburgh.