The Declaration of Arbroath

The Declaration of Arbroath was sent to the Pope in 1320, six years after the battle of Bannockburn. King Edward II had refused to make peace with Scotland and the Pope had not recognised Robert the Bruce as King of Scotland.

It is thought eight Scottish earls and 38 barons sealed the Declaration – the sole survivor of three letters written from Scotland to the Pope at the time –
urging the Pope to recognise Robert the Bruce as King of Scotland.

Due to its fragile state, the Declaration is on display in a purpose-built hermetically sealed display case to protect it for future generations.