Declaration by bishops, abbots, priors and other clergy of Scotland regarding the right of King Robert I to the Scottish Crown and swearing fealty.

In February 1310, a general council of the Scottish church declared their support for the king and his claim to the throne while praising his military skills in defending the kingdom.

Visit the Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 website for more detailed translations and historical information.

(National Records of Scotland reference SP13/4)

Translation of extract

… with the concurrence and consent of the said people he was chosen to be King, that he might reform the deformities of the kingdom, correct what required correction and direct what needed direction; and having been by their authority set over the kingdom he was solemnly made King of Scots, and with him the faithful people of the kingdom will live and die as with one who, possessing the right of blood, and endowed with the other cardinal virtues, is fitted to rule, and worthy of the name of King and the honour of the kingdom, since… by repelling injustice, he has by the sword restored the realm thus deformed and ruined.

… We therefore, the Bishops, Abbots, Priors and the rest of the clergy, aforesaid… have made due fealty to our said Lord Robert, the illustrious King of Scotland,… and we acknowledge … that the same ought to be rendered to him and his heirs by our successors for ever...

(Translation taken from A Source Book of Scottish History, i, 144-145, edited by W C Dickinson, G Donaldson and I A Milne, 1958)