In 1328, England's parliament met at Northampton Castle; where they agreed this peace treaty officially marking the end of the First War of Scottish Independence.
Treaty of Edinburgh signed at Northampton Castle in 1328.
This document was written at Northampton Castle on 4 May 1328 to give formal consent to a peace treaty between Scotland and England, officially marking the end of the First War of Scottish Independence.
On 17 March 1328, seals representing the kings of Scotland and England were affixed to the original document in Edinburgh. The treaty was then re-written for official agreement at the Parliament of England, which met at Northampton Castle on this occasion. Most meetings of parliament took place at Westminster but were sometimes held elsewhere to accommodate the king’s schedule. In the fourteenth century Northampton was chosen as a meeting place for parliaments, reflecting the peak of its prosperity and close relationship with the Crown.
Numerous letters, notices and documents associated with the Treaty have since been lost, so we do not know the full details of the agreement. This document acknowledges that the Kingdom of Scotland was fully independent, that Robert the Bruce and his heirs were its rightful rulers, and the border between Scotland and England would remain as it was under the rule of Alexander III of Scotland. Robert the Bruce agreed to pay £20,000 to the King of England and Edward III’s young sister Joan was married shortly after to David, son of Robert the Bruce, to cement the alliance.
Number 41 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
© National Records of Scotland
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NMAG
©
The Trustees of the British Museum
©
The Trustees of the British Museum
©
NMAG