Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
Treaty of Edinburgh/Northampton, 1328
King Robert's last days

Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
Skirmishes and cross-border raids continued between Scotland and England. Pope John XXII, the religious head of all Christian nations, wanted peace so that both countries could help mount a crusade to the Holy Land. The Scots broke the peace in 1318 when Robert I recaptured Berwick. The Pope excommunicated the King along with four Scottish bishops.

By 1320, Scotland's relations with the Pope were in crisis. In an effort to persuade the Pope to support their case, the earls and barons of Scotland sent a letter asking him to recognise Scotland's independence and acknowledge Robert I as Scotland's lawful king. This letter has become known as the Declaration of Arbroath.

Find out more about the Declaration of Arbroath

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Treaty of Edinburgh/Northampton, 1328
It took some years for the Declaration of Arbroath to have an effect. The Pope urged England to seek peace with Robert I but a truce was not agreed until 1323.

It did not hold for long. In 1327, a Scottish force raided the north of England and almost captured the young King Edward III of England. The Scots continued to raid Northumberland and peace talks started again in the autumn of 1327. Peace terms were finally agreed in March 1328. A treaty was drawn up and sealed in Edinburgh and Northampton. Under the terms of the treaty, England recognised Scotland's independence and Robert I as king, the Scots agreed to pay England £20,000 to end the war, and a marriage was agreed between the two royal families.

… the following matters were discussed and agreed… between the most excellent Prince, Robert, by the Grace of God, king of Scotland and… the most excellent prince, Edward, by the grace of God king of England… first that there be a true, final and perpetual peace between the kings, their heirs and successors and their realms and lands and their subjects and peoples… and for the security and permanence of that peace it is settled and agreed that a marriage take place… between David the son and heir of the king of Scotland and Joan, the sister of the king of England NAS: State Papers: SP6/1

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King Robert's last days
Following the treaty, Robert I sent ambassadors to the Pope to ask his authority for the bishop of St Andrews, as the Pope's representative in Scotland, to have the right to anoint and crown the kings of Scotland.

Pope John XXII granted his request but Robert I did not live to see this final recognition of Scotland's nationhood. He died on 7 June 1329, aged 55, six days before the papal bull [order] was issued. His body lies in Dunfermline Abbey and his heart is buried in Melrose Abbey.

Find out how the Lübeck Letter, Ayr Manuscript and Declaration of Arbroath were made and how they survived until the present day.

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