Document 4/42/0 (A-S Relations, no. 16)
- Description
- The magnates of Scotland reply to Sir [Edward I, king of England], that the good people of Scotland who came to Norham the other day at his request, send greetings and thank him for the kindness shown towards the kingdom of Scotland and the good people of the realm. They inform him that they have heard the declaration made the other day, in the church of Norham, in his presence, by Sir Roger Brabazon, his knight, which amounts to this as they understand it: Edward says that he is overlord of Scotland and that the kingdom is held of him in chief, wherefore Edward asked the good people there to adhere to him, as overlord, and [he says] that he will maintain them in peace and quite, according to the laws and customs of the realm of Scotland. And since he does not intend or desire that anyone should be disinherited, Edward wishes that the claimants who assert their right to the kingdom should exhibit, in his presence, the right which each one thinks he has, and Edward also desires to show his own right; and by his advice and the advice of the good people of Scotland, he will do to each one what reason and justice demand. The magnates reply that they do not believe he would ask so great a thing if he were not convince of his right to it, however, they have no knowledge of his right, nor did they ever see if claimed and used by him or his ancestors; therefore they answer him, that they have no power to reply to his statement, in default of a lord to whom the demand ought to be addressed. They can give him no other answer, saving the oath which they took after the death of the king and the general sentence [of excommunication] pronounced by bishops, abbots, and other prelates, against those who should violate their oath, which was done in his presence at Northampton. If they did otherwise, they would be perjurers and fit to be disinherited. Therefore they beg the king to act in such a way that they fall not into great danger and shameful disgrace.
- Firm date
- 10 May 1291
- Dating Notes
- After 10 May, which is the meeting at Norham ‘the other day’
- Source for Data Entry
- Anglo-Scottish Relations, no. 16
- Trad. ID
- A-S Relations, no. 16
- Calendar number
- 4/42/None
- Charter type
- Letter (correspondence)
- Language
- French
- Notes
- See discussion in Anglo-Scottish Relations, 53-5