Letter by King Robert I to Melrose Abbey for payment for the fabric of the church, 1329

In May 1329, a month before his own death, Robert I sent a letter to his young son David, asking him to give special protection to Melrose Abbey as he wished it to be the resting place where his heart would be buried.

Transcript of extract

Robert by the grace of God, King of Scots, to David his most beloved son… Desiring therefore that you and the rest of our successors should follow out in devout sincerity that pious and sincere regard which we have conceived towards the Monastery of Melrose, where, of our special devotion we have appointed our heart to be buried, and towards the religious there serving God… they may be animated to pray for us the more fervently and earnestly; we charge as firmly as we can… that ye suffer the same religious freely to enjoy the gifts which we have of new made to them for the building of their church, and also all our other grants, rather increasing, if need be, than diminishing the same, lending a favourable ear to their petitions, and protecting them with reverent care against their enemies and rivals… Given at Cardros on the eleventh day of May the year of our reign the twenty-fourth.

(Translation taken from National Manuscripts of Scotland, Part II, No 29)

(Printed in Liber Sancte Marie de Melros (Bannatyne Club,1837), vol. 2 no.364)