VERY interesting article by Stewart Ward (Declaration of Arbroath: New display on 700th anniversary, July 12) and exciting that the Declaration of Arbroath will go on public display.
Having worked on a project related to the Declaration with eminent historians, I learned that it was actually drafted at Newbattle Abbey by Robert the Bruce’s council of nobles.
The draft was then written up in elegant Latin by Bernard de Linton the Abbot of Arbroath (or possibly even one of his scribes) at Arbroath. Hence the name.
The draft makes it clear that sovereignty rests with the people and even the mighty Bruce cannot stay in power without their consent. Seems like there is a lesson to be learned for present-day Scotland from a message from 700 years ago.
Douglas Turner
Edinburgh
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