A document ratifying the peace treaty which ended the first Scottish War of Independence has gone on display in Northampton.
The 1328 Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton and the ratification is held by National Records of Scotland (NRS).
The ratification is on show at Northampton Museum as part of its exhibition: ‘The History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects’.
The English parliament was sitting in Northampton when it agreed the terms of the treaty.
The ‘final and perpetual’ Treaty saw Scotland recognised as an independent kingdom, and Robert the Bruce as rightful King of Scots. In return, the Scots agreed to pay compensation in war damages.
Dr Alan Borthwick, Head of Medieval and Early Modern Records at NRS, said:
“As was quite common for the period, the deal included the marriage of children from both royal houses. Robert the Bruce’s four year old son David, soon to be King David II, married King Edward III’s seven year old sister Joan. While the treaty ended more than 30 years of conflict, the peace was fragile and fighting broke out again in 1332.
“This document is one of the treasures in the Scottish national archive and relates to a key time in our history.”
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is hosting ‘A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects’ from 20 September 2025 to 8 February 2026. This major exhibition includes items from prehistoric times right up to the present day. Once the exhibition closes the record will go back to NRS.
While the treaty's 700th anniversary is in three years’ time, one of its pledges was only fulfilled 29 years ago. In 1996 the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs, was returned to Scotland from Westminster Abbey.
