Monday, April 06, 2009
Happy Arbroath Day
The Declaration of Arbroath was one of the earliest documents in the history of nations to really talk about freedom, and why people need it.
Scotland paid a price for this document, the whole country got excommunicated. (weird religious practice of the Catholic Church)
Some Scottish-Americans are trying to mark this day. A former city councilman here used to have it proclaimed at least as a day to notice.
I don't think this day will ever rival St. Patrick's Day but here are some suggestions:
1. find a thistle, preferably one which is in flower, and pluck one flower to wear in your hair to work, or as a buttonaire.
2. If you are male, search your closet for a kilt to wear to work.
3. Haggis for lunch! washed down by of course Scotch! :) Wheeee!
4. More haggis, this time for dinner, washed down with more Scotch :) Wheeee! Party on!
Scotland paid a price for this document, the whole country got excommunicated. (weird religious practice of the Catholic Church)
Some Scottish-Americans are trying to mark this day. A former city councilman here used to have it proclaimed at least as a day to notice.
I don't think this day will ever rival St. Patrick's Day but here are some suggestions:
1. find a thistle, preferably one which is in flower, and pluck one flower to wear in your hair to work, or as a buttonaire.
2. If you are male, search your closet for a kilt to wear to work.
3. Haggis for lunch! washed down by of course Scotch! :) Wheeee!
4. More haggis, this time for dinner, washed down with more Scotch :) Wheeee! Party on!
# posted by Katja R. @ 9:05 AM 
Comments:
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Its importance goes beyond the issue of Scottish "freedom" (I guess you mean Scottish independence), it asserts the sovereignty of the people over the institutions of government. (Of course like in Magna Carta, the people would in practice be the nobility, not the mediaeval you and me).
# posted by 
: 11:44 PM
: 11:44 PM
In the interests of historical, political and cultural enlightenment -
http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/arbroath_english.html
http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/arbroath_english.html
# posted by : 12:30 AM
: 12:30 AM
thanks for t his link. I realize that 'The People' in those days did not mean real people like ourselves but then real people like ourselves are probably better informed than the nobility of those by-gone days! I mean Sir William Wallace was a very learned man, he'd be a geek in modern terms but he still did not have the Internet! :)
That said, this is a great document and I do hope readers of this blog will take the time to at least have a look. Thanks Owen!
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That said, this is a great document and I do hope readers of this blog will take the time to at least have a look. Thanks Owen!
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