A “treasure” from the national archives which sealed the deal that delivered Scottish independence in the time of Robert The Bruce has gone on display in England.
The ancient document ratifies the peace treaty which brought the first Scottish War of Independence and recognises the country as an independent kingdom, and Robert the Bruce as rightful King of Scots
The ratification treaty, signed in 1328, has been loaned to the Museum of Northhampton, as part of its exhibition: ‘The History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects’.
Both the 1328 Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton and its ratification is held by National Records of Scotland (NRS).
The English parliament was sitting in Northampton when it agreed the terms of the treaty.
The ‘final and perpetual’ Treaty set the teams of peace with England won after the Battle of Bannockburn. In return, the Scots agreed to pay compensation in war damages.
Dr Alan Borthwick, Head of Medieval and Early Modern Records at NRS, said: “As was quite common for the period, the deal included the marriage of children from both royal houses.
“Robert the Bruce’s four year old son David, soon to be King David II, married King Edward III’s seven year old sister Joan. While the treaty ended more than 30 years of conflict, the peace was fragile and fighting broke out again in 1332.
“This document is one of the treasures in the Scottish national archive and relates to a key time in our history.”
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Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is hosting ‘A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects’ from 20 September 2025 to 8 February 2026.
This major exhibition includes items from prehistoric times right up to the present day. Once the exhibition closes, the record will go back to NRS.
While the treaty's 700th anniversary is in three years’ time, one of its pledges was only fulfilled 29 years ago.
In 1996 the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs, was returned to Scotland from Westminster Abbey.
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