April 6, 2020 marks the 700th Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath which is widely seen as Scotland’s most iconic document. It evokes the sentiments of sovereign independence which gives is special distinction not only for Scotland but throughout the world.
The Declaration is a letter written to the Pope during Scotland‘s Wars of Independence outlining their grievances against England and reinforcing their case for not accepting a truce the Pope had tried to arrange. It was signed by eight earls and about forty barons before being sent to Rome. England did not recognize Scottish independence until 1328
It’s best known lines read: “As long as but one hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom alone, which no good man gives up except with his life.”