Arbroath Abbey: William the Lion, the Declaration and the Stone
Contents
The red sandstone ruins of Arbroath Abbey stand in the middle of the Angus town, their great round window, once lit as a beacon for sailors, still known as the "Round O". The abbey was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion, who is buried there. It is best known for its association with the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320, the famous letter to the Pope asserting Scotland's independence. In 1951 the Stone of Destiny, taken from Westminster Abbey by students, was left at its high altar. This card tells the abbey's story.
TL;DR
- established Arbroath Abbey was founded in 1178 by William the Lion, king of Scots, for Tironensian monks from Kelso, and dedicated to St Thomas Becket.
- established William the Lion was buried in front of the high altar in 1214.
- established The Declaration of Arbroath, dated 6 April 1320, is associated with the abbey. Its abbot, Bernard, was chancellor of Scotland, and the letter was probably drafted in his circle.
- established On 11 April 1951 the Stone of Destiny, taken from Westminster Abbey by Scottish students the previous Christmas, was left on the site of the abbey's high altar.
- established The abbey is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, with a visitor centre telling its story.
Key Facts
- Founded
- 1178 by William the Lion
- Order
- Tironensian Benedictines
- Dedication
- St Thomas Becket
- Royal burial
- William the Lion, 1214
- Declaration
- 6 April 1320
- Abbot
- Bernard, chancellor of Scotland
- Stone of Destiny
- Left here 11 April 1951
- Care
- Historic Environment Scotland
A Note on Claims and Evidence
Each major claim carries one of three labels. established means supported by primary records, official bodies or several independent reliable sources. shared means the core fact is sound but sources disagree on details, dates or interpretation. traditional means widely repeated but not traceable to a primary or independent source.
Whether the Declaration of Arbroath was actually written or sealed at the abbey, and whether Abbot Bernard drafted it personally, is not certain. It is dated at Arbroath.
Timeline
Murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
Arbroath Abbey founded.
William the Lion buried at the abbey.
The abbey church dedicated.
The Declaration of Arbroath dated.
The Reformation ends monastic life.
The Stone of Destiny left at the abbey.
700th anniversary of the Declaration.
Details
A royal foundation
established William the Lion founded Arbroath Abbey in 1178, bringing monks from Kelso. He dedicated it to Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury murdered in 1170, whom William had known. The abbey became one of the richest in Scotland, and William was buried there in 1214.
The Round O
established The great round window high in the south transept is known locally as the "Round O". Tradition says a light was kept burning in it as a beacon for sailors.
The Declaration of Arbroath
established The Declaration of Arbroath is a letter dated at Arbroath on 6 April 1320, sent by Scottish barons to Pope John XXII, asking him to recognise Robert the Bruce as king and Scotland as independent. Abbot Bernard of Arbroath was chancellor of Scotland, and the letter was probably drafted in his chancery.
The Stone of Destiny
established On Christmas Day 1950, four Scottish students removed the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey. On 11 April 1951 it was left draped in a saltire on the site of the high altar at Arbroath Abbey, where it was recovered by police and returned to Westminster. It was brought back to Scotland in 1996.
Ruin and care
established After the Reformation, the abbey fell into ruin and its stone was taken for building. It is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. The Arbroath Abbey Pageant has re-enacted the signing of the Declaration since 1947.
Did You Know?
- Arbroath Abbey was dedicated to Thomas Becket.
- William the Lion is buried there.
- The Declaration of Arbroath is dated at the abbey.
- The Stone of Destiny was left there in 1951.
- The great round window is called the "Round O".
FAQ
1Who founded Arbroath Abbey?
William the Lion, in 1178.
2What is the Declaration of Arbroath?
A 1320 letter to the Pope asserting Scotland's independence.
3Was the Declaration written at the abbey?
It is dated there; exactly where it was written is uncertain.
4What happened in 1951?
The Stone of Destiny was left at the abbey's high altar.
5Can I visit?
Yes, it is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Sources and Further Reading
Primary/Institutional
- Historic Environment Scotland, Arbroath Abbey
Scholarly/Critical
- Geoffrey Barrow (ed.), The Declaration of Arbroath: History, Significance, Setting (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 2003)
- Ian Hamilton, The Taking of the Stone of Destiny (Birlinn, 2008)
Caveats: Myths and Disputed Claims
- Do not state that the Declaration was definitely written in the abbey.
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