SALLY MORRIS: THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH HAS MEANING TODAY
In Scotland, under the tyranny of the English Crown, we know that heroes rose up to confront it. We have all heard of Willaim Wallace (“Braveheart”), thanks to the movie of Mel Gibson. Students of history will know the name, “Robert the Bruce” (Robert I), who became Scotland’s leader and king in that nation’s struggle to reassert its independence. The fix was in, of course, with the Vatican. The Pope had excommunicated Robert already for stopping the re-investiture of John Balliol (known throughout Scottish history as “Toom Tabard” or “empty suit” in our parlance, a reference to his subservient attitude toward Edward I of England), a 14th Century version of a RINO, we might say. It had involved the murder of John Comyn, Robert’s interregnum co-guardian of Scotland (a part of Balliol’s cadre), in which Robert was implicated. In 1308 this excommunication was lifted.
Much tumult followed from 1306, when Robert was crowned King of Scotland until the decisive Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 (June 23-24) in which Robert, leading a much smaller army, resoundingly defeated Edward II’s English forces. Problem was, Edward II hadn’t decided yet to abide by reality and continued his claim over Scotland. In 1320, Robert was excommunicated again - this time because he refused to settle with England on Edward’s terms. On April 6, of that year, 701 years ago today, the members of the Scottish nobility got together (an astounding feat in itself) and signed a letter to the Pope, a document known as the Declaration of Arbroath, in which they asserted Scottish independence and that Robert I was their rightful king. In response, the excommunication was rescinded and Scottish independence recognized at long last.
Today we celebrate the Declaration of Arbroath, a rare moment of cohesion of oft-battling clans and nobility in the face of the enemy - English oppression. It might be well to remember that a small but organized group of freedom fighters can succeed, as our American ancestors did a few centuries later against the same oppressor, to win a victory over tyranny. Might be time to organize again.
In the meantime, we should all celebrate the Declaration of Arbroath for its deep meaning - that tyranny need not prevail and eventually freedom will have its day. Throughout the world, in the Scottish diaspora, this day is celebrated as Tartan Day, tartans being the symbols of clan membership and in this case, alliance against a tyrannical foe. So, in honor of Tartan Day, the Declaration of Arbroath, I’m celebrating with some Scottish music and some lovely Scottish scenery and perhaps a bit o’ poetry as well.
“Bannockburn” (song - Alistair McDonald) - ("sassenach" is Scottish for "Englishman"): https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+-+scottish&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dyoutube%2520-%2520scottish%26pc%3dcosp%26ptag%3dG6C1N1234D090118A98C4AF66BD%26form%3dCONBDF%26conlogo%3dCT3210127&view=detail&mid=3580B627B79136BEBCBD3580B627B79136BEBCBD&&mmscn=vwrc&FORM=VDRVRV
“Scots Wha’ Hae” (Robert Burns poem): https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+-+poem+-+scots+wha+hae&docid=608051087241520903&mid=67FA08D994E76219D62067FA08D994E76219D620&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
“Flower o’ Scotland” (original 1968 by The Corries - Ron Browne and Roy Williamson): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiyLuv3GSs4
“Loch Lomond” (Ella Roberts - I know! I’ve shared this before but I can never resist the dramatic and beautiful scenery and the music): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb8AGuD2uOI
“Scotland the Brave” (massed pipe bands, North of Scotland Pipe Band Championship, 2019) While some think of the bagpipe as the national musical instrument of Scotland, it is not. It is not regarded as a musical instrument - it is regarded as a weapon of war. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+-+massed+pipe+bands%27&&view=detail&mid=0525913D9D8F9851DD1F0525913D9D8F9851DD1F&&FORM=VDRVRV
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