Declaratio Arbroathis: DECLARATIO ARBROATHIS

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.

To the most holy Father in Christ and Lord, Lord John, by divine providence Supreme Pontiff of the Most Holy Roman and Universal Church, Duncan, Earl of Fife, Thomas son of Ranulf, Earl of Moray, Lord of Man and the Isle of Angus, Patrick of Dunbar, Earl of March, Malisius, 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 de Soulis, Butler of Scotland, James, Lord of Douglas, Roger de Mowbray, David, Lord of Brechin, David de Graham, Ingram de Umfraville, John of Meneteth, Custos of the County of Meneteth, Alexander Fraser, Gilbert de Hay, Constable of Scotland, Robert de Keth, Marshal of Scotland, Henry of St. Clair, John de Graham, David de Lindsay, William Oliphant, Patrick de Graham, John of Fenton, William of Abernethy, David of Wemyss, William of Montfext, Fergus of Ardrossan, Eustace de Maxwell, William of Ramsay, William of Mowat, Alan of Moray, Donald Campbell, John Cambrun, Reginald le Chen, Alexander of Seton, Andrew of Lesley, and Alexander of Stratoun, and the other barons and free-tenants and the whole community of the Kingdom of Scotland, with all filial reverence and with devout kisses of the blessed feet.

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.

We know, most holy Father and Lord, and from the deeds and books of the ancients we collect that among other nations our namely nation of the Scots has been distinguished by many praises, which, having come from Greater Scythia across the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Columns of Hercules and dwelling in Spain among the most fierce peoples through many courses of time, could by no peoples, however barbarous, be anywhere subjected. And thence coming after 1,200 years from the passing of the people of Israel through the Red Sea, it took for itself seats in the West which it now holds, first expelling the Britons and the Picts wholly destroyed; although it was oft attacked by Norwegians, Danes and English, it gained many victories and very many labors, and, freed from all servitude, as the histories of the ancients testify, ever held them. In whose kingdom one hundred and thirteen kings of their royal stock, no foreigner intervening, reigned.

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.

Whose nobility and merits, though not brighter than those of others, shine sufficiently plainly from the fact that the King of Kings and lord of lords Jesus Christ, after his Passion and Resurrection, convoked them, being set at the uttermost bounds of the earth, as the first to his most holy faith. Nor did he wish them to be confirmed in that faith by any person, but by his first apostle by vocation, though in order second or third, the most meek Saint Andrew, brother of the blessed Peter, whom he always willed to preside over them as Patron.

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.

These most holy Fathers and your predecessors, pondering with solicitous mind that very Kingdom and people, since they had endowed the peculiar inheritance of blessed Peter the German with many favours and very many privileges, so indeed that our nation under their protection hitherto lived free and quiet — until that Magnificent Prince the King of the English, Edward, the father of the present one, hostilely assailed our headless kingdom and a people unaccustomed to any evil or guile nor to wars or incursions under the guise of a friend and ally. Whose injuries, seizures, violences, depredations, burnings, imprisonings of prelates, combustions of monasteries, spoliations and slayings of religious and other also enormous and innumerable things which he practised upon the said people, sparing none by age or sex, religion or order, none would write down nor fully understand unless experience informed him.

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.

From whom of innumerable Evils, with Him Himself aiding who after wounds heals and cures, we were delivered by the most strenuous Prince, King and our Lord, Lord Robert, who for the people and their inheritance, in freeing them from the hands of Enemies, like another Machabeus or Joshua endured labours and toils, famines and dangers, sustaining his spirit even unto death. Whom also divine disposition and, according to our laws and Customs, which we wish to uphold even to death, the legal succession and the duty, and the unanimous Consensus and Assent of us all made Prince and King; to whom, as to him through whom salvation was wrought in our people, for the keeping of our liberty both by right and by merits, we are bound and wish in all things to adhere.

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,

If he were to desist from his undertakings, and desire to subject us or our kingdom to the king of the English or to the English, we would strive to expel him at once as our enemy and as an overthrower of his and our law, and we would make another king of ours who would suffice for our defense. For so long as a hundred of us remain alive, we will never wish to be in any way subjugated to the dominion of the English. For we fight not for glory, riches, or honors, but only for liberty, which no good man loses except together with his life. Hence, Reverend Father and Lord,

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.

we beseech your holiness with all insistence of prayers, with genuflected hearts, that you, recalling with sincere heart and pious mind that before him whose vicarious office on earth you discharge there is neither weight nor distinction of Jew and Greek, Scot or English, and beholding with paternal eyes the tribulations and angustias inflicted upon us and upon the Church of God by the English, deign to admonish and exhort the King of the English — to whom that which he possesses ought to suffice, since once England used to suffice for seven or more kings — that he dismiss us Scots, dwelling in exile in Scotland beyond which there is no habitation and desiring nothing but our possessions, in peace. To whom, for procuring our quiet, whatever we can, regard being had to our condition, we wish to do with effect.

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.

For it concerns you, holy Father, to do this, seeing that you behold the ferocity of pagans, sharpened by the faults of Christians, falling upon Christians, and the bounds of Christians being narrowed day by day, and how much it detracts from the memory of your holiness if (God forbid) the Church in any part of itself should suffer eclipse or scandal in your days, as you will perceive. Therefore awaken the Christian princes who, not putting a cause as cause, feign that they cannot go to the aid of the Holy Land because of wars they have with their neighbours. The reason of this impediment is the truer, namely that in overcoming the nearer smaller foes the utility is nearer and the resistance judged the weaker.

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.

But how gladly of heart was it said: our lord the King and we — if the King of the English would dismiss us in peace, we would go thither; he who is not ignorant knows this well. Which thing we show and testify to the Vicar of Christ and to the whole Christendom.

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.

If your holiness, too credulous of the English’ reports, does not apply sincere faith, or does not cease to favor them to our confusion, the destructions of bodies, losses of souls, and other ensuing inconveniences that they in us and we in them shall have wrought, we believe will be imputed to you by the Most High.

ilii vobis

those to you

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.

ready to please in all things as his vicar, and we commit our cause to him as to the Supreme King and Judge; casting our cogitations upon him and firmly hoping that he will work virtue in us and reduce our enemies to nothing.

Sanctitatem ac sanitatem vestram conseruet altissimus Ecclesie sue sancte per tempora diuturna.

May the Most High preserve your holiness and health, and keep his Church holy through long‑enduring times.

Datum apud Monasterium de Abirbrothoc in Scocis Sexto die mensis Aprilis Anno gracie Millesimo Trescentesimo vicesimo Anno vero Regni Regis nostri supradicti Quinto decimo.

Given at the Monastery of Aberbrothock in the Scots on the sixth day of the month of April, in the year of grace 1320, and in the 15th year of the reign of our aforesaid King.

Endorsed: Littere directe ad dominum Supremum Pontificem per communitatem Scocie.

Endorsed: Letters directed to the Lord Supreme Pontiff by the community of Scotland.

Alexander de Lambertoun, Edwardus de Keth, Johannes de Inchmertyn, Thomas de Meiners, Johannes Duraunt, Thomas de Morham [et aliud quod legi non potest].

Alexander of Lambertoun, Edward of Keth, John of Inchmertyn, Thomas of Meiners, John Duraunt, Thomas of Morham [and another which I cannot read].