SOURCE EXERCISE ON THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH
Source exercise on the Declaration of Arbroath
Source A: Extract from the Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
But from these innumerable evils we have been freed…by our most
valiant, prince, king and lord, the lord Robert, who, in order that his
inheritance might be delivered out of the hands of enemies, cheerfully
endured 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, a nd the due
consent and assent of us all have made him our prince and king.
How useful is Source A as evidence of the strength of Robert I’s
position in 1320?
Points to consider
Origin
 When was the letter written?
 Who wrote it?
 Whose seals are attached?
 Under what circumstances were those seals attached?
 Do all these considerations lead you think that Robert was in a strong
position in 1320 or that he had problems?
Purpose
 Why was the letter sent to the pope in the first place?
 How damaging must the excommunication have been?
 Is the Declaration the freely expressed response of the Community of
the Realm or is it propaganda produced within Robert’s own
administration?
 Do all these considerations lead you to think that Robert was in a
strong position in 1320 or that he had problems?
Content
 He is presented as a second Maccabeus or Joshua. What does this
mean?
 The source says that Robert’s kingship is based in three firm
foundations: divine providence, succession according to Scots law,
and the consent and assent of the Community of the Realm. How true
is each of these claims?
 How had ‘divine providence’ manifested itself?
 Is it true that Robert was king by succession according to Scots law?
Is that what had been decided in the Great Cause?
WARS OF INDEPENDENCE (H, HISTORY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2009
1
SOURCE EXERCISE ON THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH
 Had the consent and assent of the community been freely given or had
there been an element of compulsion, for instance in the Statute of
Cambuskenneth in 1314?
 Is there any evidence of organised opposition to Robert within
Scotland at the time of the barons’ letter to the pope? Some historians
suggest that the letter was a deliberate attempt to flush out such
opposition.
 Do all these considerations lead you to think that Robert was in a
strong position in 1320 or that he had problems?
Overall
End your answer with an overall conclusion that is consistent with all
the points you have made above. How useful is the extract as evidence of
the strength of Robert’s position in 1320? Possible answers include:




2
very useful
useful to a certain extent
of limited use
of no use.
WARS OF INDEPENDENCE (H, HISTORY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2009