The Declaration of Arbroath
'For Freedom Alone'
Published on 13. May 2013
192 pages
978-0-85790-670-0 (ISBN)
Description
The Declaration of Arbroath, 6 April, 1320, is one of the most remarkable documents to have been produced anywhere in medieval Europe. Signed by 51 Scottish nobles, it confirms Scotland's status as an independent sovereign state with the right to use military action if unjustly attacked.
Quoted by many, understood by few, its historical significance has now almost been overtaken by its mythic status. Since 1998, the US Senate has claimed that the American Declaration of Independence is modelled upon 'the inspirational document' of Arbroath. This is the first book-length study to examine the origins of the Declaration and the ideas upon which it drew, while tracing the rise of its mythic status in Scotland and exploring its impact upon revolutionary America.
Quoted by many, understood by few, its historical significance has now almost been overtaken by its mythic status. Since 1998, the US Senate has claimed that the American Declaration of Independence is modelled upon 'the inspirational document' of Arbroath. This is the first book-length study to examine the origins of the Declaration and the ideas upon which it drew, while tracing the rise of its mythic status in Scotland and exploring its impact upon revolutionary America.
Reviews / Votes
'Cowan's bold chronological sweep is to be admired' * Times Literary Supplement *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Birlinn General
Illustrations
8 Plates, black and white
File size
2,02 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-85790-670-0 (9780857906700)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2014
Birlinn Ltd
€31.15
Article exhausted; check different version
Book
05/2008
Birlinn Ltd
€31.15
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Edward Cowan is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies in Dumfries. Until 2009 he was Professor of Scottish History and Director of the Crichton Campus.He has written widely on the history of Viking Scotland, early modern Scottish political thought, Scottish popular culture and Scottish emigration history. He lives in Glasgow.
Content
- Intro
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Contents
- LIST OF PLATES
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- MAP
- A Note on the Text
- CHAPTER 1. A Letter from Arbroath
- CHAPTER 2. Death in Dumfries. The Enigma of Robert Bruce and the Wars of Independence
- CHAPTER 3. The Nobility of Freedom
- CHAPTER 4. Contract, Kingship and Prophecy
- CHAPTER 5. The Scottish Legacy
- CHAPTER 6. A Tale of Two Declarations
- L'Envoi
- APPENDIX 1. The Declaration of Arbroath
- APPENDIX 2. Printed Versions of the Declaration of Arbroath
- SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Notes
- INDEX
