Declaration of Arbroath 6 April 1320

It is almost 700 years since the Declaration of Arbroath was created. This event is celebrated every year in North America by the Scots Diaspora as a day to honour their Scottish heritage. April 6 has officially been deemed 'Tartan Day' in both Canada and the U.S. 

As for the original declaration, it was entered into parliament on the 6 April 1320 and recorded as: 

1320, 6 April, ‘Arbroath’

Record of Assembly

6 April 1320

Letters: ‘The Declaration of Arbroath’; letter of the barons of Scotland to Pope John XXII

To the most holy father in Christ and lord, the lord John [XXII], by divine providence supreme pontiff of the holy Roman and universal church, his humble and devout sons Duncan, earl of Fife, Thomas Randolph, earl of Moray, lord of Man and of Annandale, Patrick Dunbar, earl of March, Malise, earl of Strathearn, Malcolm, earl of Lennox, William, earl of Ross, Magnus, earl of Caithness and Orkney, and William, earl of Sutherland; Walter, the steward of Scotland, William Soules, butler of Scotland, James, lord of Douglas, Roger Mowbray, David, lord of Brechin, David Graham, Ingram Umfraville, John Menteith, guardian of the earldom of Menteith, Alexander Fraser, Gilbert Hay, constable of Scotland, Robert Keith, marischal of Scotland, Henry Sinclair, John Graham, David Lindsay, William Oliphant, Patrick Graham, John Fenton, William Abernethy, David Wemyss, William Mushet, Fergus Ardrossan, Eustace Maxwell, William Ramsay, William Mowat, Alan Murray, Donald Campbell, John Cameron, Reginald Cheyne, Alexander Seton, Andrew Leslie, and Alexander Straiton, and the other barons and freeholders and the whole community of the realm of Scotland, send all manner of filial reverence, with devout kisses of his blessed feet.

Most holy father and lord, we know, and we gather from the deeds and books of the ancients, that among other distinguished nations our own nation, namely of Scots, has been marked by many distinctions. It journeyed from Greater Scythia by the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Pillars of Hercules, and dwelt for a long span of time in Spain among the most savage peoples, but nowhere could it be subjugated by any people, however barbarous. From there it came, 1,200 years after the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea and, having first driven out the Britons and altogether destroyed the Picts, it acquired, with many victories and untold efforts, the places in the west† which it now holds, although often assailed by Norwegians, Danes and English. As the histories of old time bear witness, it has held them free of all servitude ever since. In their kingdom 113 kings of their own royal stock have reigned, the line unbroken by a single foreigner. Their high qualities and merits, if they were not otherwise manifest, shine out sufficiently from this: that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Lord Jesus Christ, after his passion and resurrection, called them, even though settled in the uttermost ends of the earth, almost the first to his most holy faith. Nor did he wish to confirm them in that faith by anyone but by the first apostle by calling (though second or third in rank), namely the most gentle Andrew, the blessed Peter’s brother, whom he wished to protect them as their patron for ever.

The most holy fathers your predecessors gave careful heed to these things and strengthened this same kingdom and people, as being the special charge of the blessed Peter’s brother by many favours and numerous privileges. Thus our people under their protection did heretofore live in freedom and peace until that mighty prince Edward, king of the English, father of the one who now lives,† when our kingdom had no head and our people harboured no malice or treachery and were then unused to wars or attacks, came in the guise of friend and ally to invade them as an enemy. His wrongs, killings, violence, pillage, arson, imprisonment of prelates, burning down of monasteries, despoiling and killing of religious, and yet other innumerable outrages which he inflicted on the said people,† sparing neither age nor sex, religion nor order, no one could fully describe or fully understand unless experience had taught him.

But from these countless evils we have been set free, by the help of him who though he afflicts yet heals and restores, by our most valiant prince, king and lord, the lord Robert, who, that his people and his heritage might be delivered out of the hands of enemies, bore cheerfully toil and fatigue, hunger and danger, like another Maccabeus or Joshua. Divine providence, the succession to his right according to our laws and customs which we shall maintain to the death, and the due consent and assent of us all have made him our prince and king. We are bound to him for the maintaining of our freedom both by his right and his merits, as to him by whom salvation has been wrought unto our people, and by him, come what may, we mean to stand. Yet if he should give up what he has begun, seeking to make us or our kingdom subject to the king of England or to the English, we would strive at once to drive him out as our enemy and a subverter of his own right and ours, and we would make some other man who was able to defend us our king; for, as long as a hundred of us remain alive, we will never on any conditions be subjected to the lordship of the English. For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom alone, which no good man gives up except with his life.

Therefore it is, reverend father and lord, that we beseech your holiness with our most earnest prayers and suppliant hearts, that recalling with a sincere heart and pious mind that, since with him whose vicegerent on earth you are there is neither weighing nor distinction of Jew and Greek, Scotsman or Englishman, you will look with paternal eyes on the troubles and anxieties brought by the English upon us and upon the church of God; that you will deign to admonish and exhort the king of the English, who ought to be satisfied with what he has, since England used once to be enough for seven kings or more, to leave in peace us Scots, who live in this poor little Scotland, beyond which there is no dwelling-place at all, and who desire nothing but our own. We are willing to discharge fully to him (due regard having been paid to our standing) whatever will bring about peace for us. It truly concerns you to do this holy father, who sees the savagery of the heathen raging against the Christians, as the sins of Christians have indeed deserved, and the frontiers of Christians being pressed inward day by day; and you must see how much it will tarnish you Holiness’s memory if (God forbid it) the Church suffers eclipse or scandal in any branch of it during your time. Then rouse the Christian princes who for false reasons pretend that they cannot go to the help of the Holy Land because of wars they have with their neighbours. The truer reason that prevents them is that in warring on their smaller neighbours they anticipate a readier return and weaker resistance. But He from whom nothing is hidden well knows how cheerfully we and our lord the king would go there if the king of the English would leave us in peace. We profess and testify this to you as the vicar of Christ and to all Christendom.

But if your holiness, giving too much credence to the tales of the English, will not give sincere belief to all this, nor refrain from favouring them to our confusion, then the slaughter of bodies, the perdition of souls, and all the other misfortunes that will follow, inflicted by them on us and by us on them, will, we believe, be imputed by the Most High to you. Therefore we are and will be ready, and in these [letters] we are bound, to obey you as his vicar in all things as obedient sons; to Him as supreme king and judge we commit the maintenance of our cause, casting our cares upon Him and firmly trusting that He will inspire courage in us and bring our enemies to nothing. May the Most High preserve you to his holy Church in holiness and health for many days to come. Given at the monastery of Arbroath in Scotland on 6 April in the year of grace 1320 and the fifteenth year of the reign of our aforesaid king.

[Endorsed:] Letter sent to the supreme lord the pope by the community of Scotland.

[Tags and sealing]†

[1] Seal of [Duncan,] earl of Fife.

[2] Seal of [Thomas Randolph,] earl of Moray.

[3] Seal of [Patrick de Dunbar,] earl of March.

[4] Seal of [Malise,] earl of Strathearn.

[5] Seal of [Malcolm,] earl of Lennox.

[6] Alan de Callander.

[7] Seal of [William,] earl of Ross.

[8] Seal of [Magnus,] earl of Caithness.

[9] John de Inchmartin.

[10] Seal of [William,] earl of Sutherland.

[11] Seal of Walter the steward of Scotland.

[12] William de Soules.

[13] Seal of James, [lord] of Douglas.

[14] Seal of Roger de Mowbray.

[15] Seal of David de Brechin.

[16] Seal of David de Brechin.†

[17] Seal of Ingeram de Umfraville.

[18] Seal of John de Menteith.

[19] Seal of Alexander Fraser.

[20] Seal of Gilbert de Hay.

[21] Seal of Robert de Keith.

[22] Seal of Alexander de Lamberton.

[23] Seal of Henry de Sinclair.

[24] Seal of John de Graham.

[25] Thomas de Meneris [?Menzies].

[26] Seal of David de Lindsay.

[27] Seal of William de Oliphant.

[28] Seal of Patrick de Graham.

[29] Seal of John de Fenton.

[30] Seal of Thomas de Morham.

[31] Seal of William de Abernethy.

[32] Seal of David de Wemyss.

[33] Seal of William de Muschet.

[34] Roger Mowat.

[35] [Blank.]

[36] Seal of Fergus de Ardrossan.

[37] Seal of Eustace de Maxwell.

[38] Seal of William de Ramsay.

[39] Seal of William de Mowat.

[40] Seal of Alan de Moray.†

[41] Seal of Donald Campbell.

[42] Edward de Keith

[43] Martin ...bel [? Campbell].

[44] Seal of J. Cambrun [?Cameron]

[45] Seal of Reginald Cheyne.

[46] Seal of Alexander de Seton.

[47] Seal of Alexander de Lescelyn

[48] Seal of Alexander de Straton.

[49] [Blank.]

[50] David de Graham.

[51] John Duraunt.[1]

 Declaration of Arbroath, Scottish Barons, Public Domain, Copyright Free

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[1] The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2016), 1320/4/1

It's Tartan Week!

April 6 marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. In North America, this is commemorated by Tartan Day. A day for those of Scot's Diaspora to indulge in their heritage, pay homage to their forebears and generally just enjoy themselves. Celebrations take place for a full week leading up to and including April 6. While I won't have the chance to partake in any of the celebrations, or enjoy any of the parades, my week is full of Scottish heritage. 

Today was the first of these. I attended the Oor Club meet and greet of the Scottish Studies Foundation. This is a monthly gathering, a bit of a fundraiser, always an informative speaker and some great craic. Today's speaker was Jo Ann Tuskin. I know Jo Ann from the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada, where she is the secretary. She is also the secretary for the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada and she is the secretary of Clan Munro. Jo Ann gave a fantastic talk about the Loyalists in the Toronto Area. Jo Ann is a teacher by profession, but she is also a teacher by birth. She has an amazing gift for sharing information in a way that brings the story to life. She adds in little tidbits of curiosity that tie our world into the talk and suddenly we are hooked and desperate to hear more. 

Jo Ann Tuskin, UE 

Tomorrow, I get to host the monthly webinar for the Scottish Special Interest Group (Scottish SIG) of the Ontario Genealogical Society. Our presenter is Dr Irene O'Brien, Senior Archivist at the Glasgow Archives. 

Monday is the VisitScotland Breakfast at the University Club in Toronto. Always a great place to network. 

Thursday I am presenting a webinar for the Ontario Genealogical Society. 

Friday, I head to Manitoba where a number of Selkirk Settlers started their lives in Canada. Saturday is a full day of talks on Scottish Genealogy at the Henderson Library in Winnipeg. Then I head to BC where I will be giving a full day of talks for the Kelowna and District Genealogical Society.

How will you be celebrating? 

Tartan Day - April 6

April 6th will be the 695th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, a letter written to Pope John XXII declaring Scotland an independent country and allowing Scotlandto use military action when provoked.

The Declaration, written in Latin (the formal language of the times), was signed by 51 noblemen. As a toast to this very historic event, Canada began celebrating its Scots heritage in the mid 1980s with parades, pipe bands, highland dancing, Kirkin o' the Tartna and other gatherings of the Scots Diaspora. This became widely known as Tartan Day. And in 2011, Canada had its own (Maple Leaf) tartan officially recognised.

In fairly short order, many other countries of the Scots Diaspora also declared or celebrated Tartan Day on April 6th. The exception to this is Australasia, which celebrates International Tartan Day on July 1, the anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription which forbade the wearing of tartan by anyone outwith the military.

Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2014

From Angus Ahead comes this press release:

Plans are well underway for the Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2014, the celebration of Scotlandand the Scots which takes place across Angus from 5-13 April 2014. Almost forty events have already been added to the Tartan Day Scotland Festival programme, including a major Homecoming Scotland 2014 event, which is being held in Arbroath on the weekend of 5/6 April.

“We’ve had a fabulous response to this year’s Tartan Day Scotland Festival, with local organisations and businesses arranging and getting involved in events throughout Angus,”said Cllr Mairi Evans, Angus Council Economic Development spokesperson.“This year, we’re thrilled to be hosting a key Homecoming Scotland event in Arbroath and it’s wonderful to see the support being provided to this weekend of celebrations, which is expected to welcome high numbers of additional visitors to the area.”

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Tartan Day Scotland Festival in Arbroath is set to capture the very essence of the Year of Homecoming Scotland.

“This is an opportunity for local people and for those from further afield to come together and enjoy Scotland’s rich history, its eclectic culture and its pioneering legacy to the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a history buff – there really is something for everyone – from fantastic seafood and maritime demonstrations to music and street performers – I think it’s the perfect opportunity visit to Scotland’s east coast.”

The Tartan Day Scotland Homecoming Weekend in Arbroath will focus on two of the town’s main visitor attractions – Arbroath Abbey and ArbroathHarbour – and will kick off with a ceilidh organised by Arbroath and Area Partnership on the evening of Friday, April 4.

Throughout the weekend, there will be guided tours of– and free entry to - historic Arbroath Abbey. There will also be a medieval encampment in the grounds and craft demonstrations, including calligraphy, combat, juggling and a working forge, similar to the one used to make the iron shoes for the horses of the Scottish Knights who travelled to Arbroath in 1320 to sign the famous Declaration of Arbroath.

Arbroath’s maritime heritage will be in the spotlight at Arbroath Harbour. At the Taste of Angus event in the Fish Market, foodies will be able to sample the very best of local produce, including freshly-caught seafood and, of course, Arbroath Smokies. The visitor centre overlooking Arbroath Marina will host demonstrations of traditional fishing skills, while the nearby Signal Tower Museum, once home to the light keepers of the Bell Rock Lighthouse and their families, will be the backdrop for sea shanties, storytelling and re-enactments of the lives of the local fisher families in days long gone.

Saturday’s Homecoming Scotland celebrations will also feature street performers and live music on Arbroath High Street and guided walks of Arbroath Abbey’s ancient graveyard, Old Arbroath and, as darkness falls, the town’s haunted most spots.

A Tayroots Family History Day will be held on Sunday, April 6 at the Webster Memorial Theatre. This will consist of talks from leading genealogists and historians and the chance for people from near and far to seek advice and information from members of local and family history groups, archivists and other relevant organisations.

At lunchtime that day, the Massed Angus Pipe Bands will lead the way to Arbroath Abbey, where Arbroath Abbey Timethemes will re-enact the April 6, 1320 Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. For the first time in many years, this ceremony will take place within the walls of Arbroath Abbey, close to where the original document was signed.

Arbroath’s Tartan Day Scotland Homecoming Weekend will conclude with a display of the archives of Auchmithie and a screening of vintage local film footage in the WebsterTheatre.

“The Homecoming Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to welcome back to Angus the descendants of those who left our shores many years ago,” said Cllr Evans. “By holding this event during the Tartan Day Scotland Festival, we will be celebrating Scotlandwith the people of Scotlandand ancestral Scots from across the globe.”

Further information about The Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2014, including the Tartan Day Scotland Homecoming event in Arbroath on 5/6 April, is available online at www.tartandayscotland.com. To keep up to date with the latest news about the Tartan Day Scotland Festival,‘like’ the Tartan Day Scotland facebook page.

It's National Tartan Day!

It's National Tartan Day. A day for all of the Scots Diaspora to proudly show their colours. Many people think that you must be able to determine the clan or clan sept, (a sept is simply a list of surnames of people who are considered to have the “authority” to wear the clan tartan) associated with a surname in order to wear a specific tartan. In reality, you can wear whatever tartan suits your fancy. No permission is required with the exception of the Balmoral tartan, worn only by the Royal family and with the consent of the Queen. Another exception is a tartan that is specifically identified as being the tartan for the Clan Chief. So, wear your tartan. Wear it proudly and if it gives you a greater sense of belonging to stick with the tartan of your surname, carry on!

Tartan Day 2012

April 6th is Tartan Day. 40 million Americans can claim Scottish Ancestry. There are a number of Scots-American Associations in the US, many sponsoring events this weekend. Events are planned in Washington DC, San Diego, Denver, Cincinnati and Nashville NC. But the biggest US event for Tartan Day is taking place at Ellis Island. This event is sponsored by Clan Currie Society. The event is held annually to honour the half million Scots immigrants who passed through Ellis Island on their way to build a better life for their families and in the process to help build and shape the country.

In Canada, there are a number of Tartan Day Events happening as well. One is sponsored by the Scottish Studies Foundation and is held at Toronto's Casa Loma. And there will be a Ceildh at the Royal York at 7:30. In the Nation's Capital, the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band will be celebrating on Parliament Hill at noon.   

In New Brunswick, the Scottish Cultural Association is involved with Tartan Day Events in Fredericton, Moncton and St John.  

Wherever you are, show your pride. Wear your ancestral tartan and celebrate your Scots heritage.

April 6 is Tartan Day

April 6 is officially known as Tartan Day in Canada. April 6 was chosen as the date because it is the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish declaration of independence.

A tartan represents a community, and is an enduring symbol of Scotland that is cherished by Canadians of Scottish ancestry. Many Canadian provinces and other countries already celebrate Tartan Day.

Further to that announcement by Heritage Canada, Canada announced that the Maple Leaf Tartan is now the Official Tartan of Canada. “In creating the Maple Leaf Tartan fabric, David Weiser captured the natural phenomena of the Maple leaves turning from summer into autumn. The green is the early colour of the foliage. Gold appears at the turn of autumn. Red shows up at the coming of the first frost. The two tones of brown find their way throughout the leaf creating a  prolific profusion of colour." Its International Tartan Index number is 2034.

Tartan Day originated in the late 1980s in Nova Scotia, where it was declared an official day by the provincial government. It then spread across the country, with many provinces joining in. This marks the first time the Day has been recognized by the federal government. "By officially recognizing this Day, we encourage Canadians all across the country to celebrate the contributions that over four million Canadians of Scottish heritage continue to make to the foundation of our country," said Senator John Wallace.  

So, Canadians of Scots descent, wear your tartan today and wear it proudly. Show your true colours. Show off your heritage.

April 6 Recognized as Tartan Day in Canada

    On Oct. 21, 2010, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announced that Canada will now officially recognize April 6 as Tartan Day.

    "
    Tartan Day originated in the late 1980s in Nova Scotia, where it was declared an official day by the provincial
    "By officially recognizing this Day, we encourage Canadians all across the country to celebrate the contributions that over four million Canadians of Scottish heritage continue to make to the foundation of our country," said Senator John Wallace, who recently introduced a bill in the Senate in support of nationally declaring Tartan Day. In Canada, Tartan Day is celebrated on April 6, the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish declaration of independence. Tartan Day celebrations typically include parades of pipe bands, Highland dancing and sports, and other Scottish-themed events.government. It then spread across the country, with many provinces joining in. This marks the first time the Day has been recognized by the federal government.A tartan represents a clan, a family, and a community, and is an enduring symbol of Scotland that is cherished by Canadians of Scottish ancestry," said Minister Moore. "Many Canadian provinces and other countries already celebrate Tartan Day. As well, through Tartan Day, Canadians will have an opportunity to learn more about the various cultures that comprise Canadian society."