Arbroath Abbey, Scotland

Arbroath Abbey was founded by the Scottish King William I in 1178.  Perhaps he founded the Abbey in memory of his childhood friend St. Thomas Becket who was murdered in Canterbury cathedral eight years earlier, or perhaps it had more to do with his capture while attacking Alnwick, or by way of pointing out the failings of the English King Henry II.  Either way, William asked the Tironensian monks from Kelso Abbey near the English border to settle in Arbroath.

King William I of Scotland died at Stirling in 1214.  He chose to be buried in the Abbey he created at Arbroath and was buried there six days after his death in front of the high altar. 

Arbroath Abbey was once one of the finest and wealthiest monasteries in medieval Scotland.  For nearly 400 years the abbey prospered.  It derived income from Royal and aristocratic land grants and controlled 35 parish churches, until the Protestant Reformation of 1560. Today it survives in fragments, a shadow of its former self, and yet enough remains to allow the visitor to imagine the splendour it once possessed. 

Although much of Arbroath is in ruins, the Abbot’s house stands almost intact. Originally built in the early 13th century, it was altered and extended in the 16th century but is still once of the most complete Abbots residences in Britain.

Arbroath Abbey may be best known for the Declaration of Arbroath, which was written here on the 6th of April 1320.  It was sent on behalf of the nobles of Scotland, to Pope John XXII.  The declaration stated in part that: 

‘For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule.  It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.'

The Declaration of Arbroath was Scotland asking for the Pope to recognise their right to be independent from England. 

In January in 1446 the Abbot delegated most of his non-religious functions to a nominated “Bailie of the Regality”, which was a lucrative office and a much sought after position.  The monks had appointed Alexander Lindsay but then regretted the decision and decided to appoint this position to James Ogilvy.  Lindsay gathered a large group of supporters to protest the appointment, resulting in the Battle of Arbroath, this was fought in front of the Abbey and through the streets of the town, with as many as possibly 600 having been killed in the fighting. 

A contemporary account of the Battle of Arbroath comes from the Hamilton family at Panmure House says the following about the battle of Arbroath:

‘A great difference fell out between the Earle of Crawfoord and the Ogilbies, for the Earle his eldest son, Alexander Lyndsay, purchased from the Abbott and Convent of Abberbrothock ane right to the Bailliary of the Abbacy, but was keept out of the possession thereof by Alexander Ogilbie, whose tytle theirto was said to be equall if not better than his.  This enmity kindled to such a flame, that upon aither side they assembled their friends in armes.  The Ogilbies calleth the Lord Huntley to their assistance and the Lyndsays called the Hamiltons to theirs.  Frequent meetings having been made to calm and reconcile maters betwixt them, and nothing being aggreid upon, it was resolved at last to decyde the cause by ther swords.  The Earle of Crawfoord, being then at Dundee, posted in all haste to Aberbrothock, and came there just as both parties are ready to begine to fight; and he designing by calmness to take up the quarrel, went too forwardly to demand a parlie with Alexander Ogilbie for his sone.  But before he could either be known or heard, he was encountered by a commone soulder, who thrust him in the mouth with a spier, which laid him dead upon the ground.  This sudden accident did excite both parties, the one for victory and other for revenge, which occasioned a most cruel and bloody fight.  The victorie feel to the Lindsayes.  Alexander Ogilbie, being sore wounded, was taken and brought to the Castle of Fenheaven, where he dyed.  The lord Huntley escaped by the swiftness of his horse.  Ther wer slaine on the Ogilbies syde John Forbes of Pitsligoe, Alex Barclay of Gartlay, Robert Maqxwell of Tilling, William Gordoune of Borrowfield, and Sir John Oliphant of Aberdagie, of the better sort.  Ther wer few of qualitie lost on the other syde, sesyde the Earle himself, whose loss was extremely regreatted.’

There also exists a contract dated the 25th of July 1474 between the Abbot and Stephen Lyell, of St. Andrews.  Wherein Lyell agrees to act as the abbey’s carpenter in all kinds of wood work to be required within the monastery, or wherever it pleased them, during his lifetime.  He was to received twenty marks Scots annually for his wages, and his meat and drink.  If he worked for the Abbot and Convent beyond the monastery, at the repair of their churches, he was to be allowed four pennies for his expenses each working day.  He was to being work every day at five o’clock and finish at seven o’clock, except in the winter.  His servant was to receive a small loaf from the hall, and a drink with the convent servants, and have his afternoon for his refreshment.  And he was not to work beyond the monastery without a license of the Abbot.

The altarpiece is a decorative screen behind the altar.  The screen features five female saints who have been identified, from left to right, as Mary Magdalene, Catherine of Alexandria, Scholastica, Margaret of Antioch and Barbara the Virgin Martyr.

In 1951 Arbroath Abbey was in the world news after the Stone of Destiny was stolen from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, it was afterwards found safely in front of the High Altar at Arbroath.  The stone had traditionally been used for the coronation of Scottish Kings until Edward I had captured it and placed it in Westminster Abbey.  The stone was officially returned to Scotland in 1996 and now resides in Edinburgh Castle.