House of Gordon Australia

THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH:
Is considered to be the single most important document in Scottish History, it is in fact the declaration of Independence.

After a meeting of Robert the Bruce with 51 of his nobles at Arbroath the document was drawn up at the Arbroath Abbey by Abbot Bernard and Abbot Alexander Kininmund., although credit has been given to Bernard de Linton who was at that time Chancellor for Scotland. The document was probably conveyed around the realm for each to sign and attach their seals. It was one of three documents sent to the Papal Court at Avignon in France. The other two documents said more or less the same thing but one was from Robert the Bruce himself and the other was from the Bishops all pleading their case. The declaration was drawn up on the 6 April 1320 and addressed to Pope John XXII. The above photo is of the original document: note the red and black dangles which are the seals of those who signed it includinmg our Adam de Gordun.

Adam along with Sir Edward de Mabbuisson and Bishop Alexander Kininmund took the document to the Court and pleased the case. Adam also pleased the case to have the excommunication on Robert the Bruce lifted. ( He had murdered John Comyn his rival for the throne at the alter of Greyfriars in Dumfies in 1306) Both cases were successful. The Pope drew up the "Treaty of Northhampton" a peace treaty between England and Scotland renouncing all English claims of Scotland but it was not signed by Edward III intil 1 March 1328.