The Declaration of Arbroath:
In 1320, 6 years after his great victory at Bannockburn over Edward II's army, King Robert the Bruce was still not recognised in Europe as a legitimate king. We visit the town of Arbroath as local people – playing historical characters such as Bruce - commemorate the Declaration of Arbroath through their annual pageant. Ted Cowan, Professor of Scottish History at Glasgow University, outlines the significance of the Declaration for history. For the first time in history the nobles had aimed to limit the power of their monarch. They said that if Bruce ever submitted to the English they would remove him and appoint another King.
In 1320, 6 years after his great victory at Bannockburn over Edward II's army, King Robert the Bruce was still not recognised in Europe as a legitimate king. We visit the town of Arbroath as local people – playing historical characters such as Bruce - commemorate the Declaration of Arbroath through their annual pageant. Ted Cowan, Professor of Scottish History at Glasgow University, outlines the significance of the Declaration for history. For the first time in history the nobles had aimed to limit the power of their monarch. They said that if Bruce ever submitted to the English they would remove him and appoint another King.
