Ancient Scots documents mark Wallace anniversary

Published on Tuesday 16 August 2005 01:46

THE Declaration of Arbroath is the centrepiece of a new exhibition unveiled yesterday marking the 700th anniversary of the death of Scots hero William Wallace.

It is one of three historic documents brought together for the first time as part of the For Freedom Alone exhibition at Holyrood.

National Archives of Scotland said it was exhibiting the "remarkable" artefacts to allow visitors an insight into the Wars of Independence - a pivotal period in Scots history.

The Declaration of Arbroath is seen by many to be the founding document of the Scottish nation and an influence on the American Declaration of Independence.

The Latin letter was sent to Pope John XXII in 1320 in support of King Robert the Bruce and an independent Scotland.

The exhibition in the main foyer of the Scottish Parliament building also features The Ayr Manuscript - the second-oldest surviving text of laws passed in the Scottish Parliament in 1318, during the reign of King Robert the Bruce.

Wallace enthusiasts will get the chance to see The Lubeck Letter - the only surviving original document issued by Wallace.

It was sent in 1297, advising European trade partners that Scottish ports were open for trade, as Scotland had been freed from English control.

Wallace, whose life was brought to the screen by Mel Gibson in the acclaimed 1995 film Braveheart, died 700 years ago this August.