Arbroath Abbey was established by King William ââ¬ËThe Roughââ¬â¢ of Scotland in 1178 and over the centuries it rose to become one of the richest in Scotland with extensive powers in trade and commerce. At its consecration in 1197, it was dedicated to the Martyred saint, Thomas Becket who was murdered at Canterbury Cathedral by agents of King Henry II in 1170 AD. King William was buried in the abbey immediately in front of the High Altar. Over the centuries the abbey rose to become one of the richest in Scotland with extensive powers in trade and commerce. King John of England even granted the monks free trading rights anywhere in England outside of London. It is famous for two events ââ¬â one ancient and one much more recent. In 1320 the Declaration of Arbroath was signed asserting Scottish independence from England. Much of this is believed to have been drafted by ââ¬ËBernard of Kilwinningââ¬â¢ Abbot of Arbroath Abbey and Chancellor of Scotland.
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