Declaration of Arbroath

The Declaration of Arbroath, signed on April 6, 1320, is a seminal document in Scottish history, symbolizing Scotland's desire for freedom and sovereignty. Drafted in the form of a letter addressed to Pope John XXII, it aimed to affirm Scotland’s status as an independent nation and to justify its right to defend itself against English aggression. The Declaration emphasized the antiquity of the Scottish people, argued against English claims of overlordship, and proclaimed the notion that the king served at the people's will, asserting that the monarch could be overthrown if the rights and freedoms of Scotland were not preserved. Its eloquent expression of the principles of liberty and self-determination has had a lasting impact, resonating through the ages and inspiring future declarations of independence, most notably the United States Declaration of Independence.