The Declaration of Arbroath is a letter dated 6 April 1320. Written by Scottish barons and addressed to Pope John XXII, it sought recognition of Scotland’s independence and acknowledged Robert the Bruce as the country’s lawful king. This historic document asserted Scotland’s status as an independent, sovereign state and defended its right to use military action when unjustly attacked. The letter, composed in Arbroath Abbey, is the sole survivor of three created at the time, emphasizing Scotland’s autonomy and resistance against English attempts to subjugate it.