Editing Arbroath Abbey (section)

==History==
[[Image:Arbroath Abbey Seal 01.jpg|thumb|Abbey's [[Seal (emblem)|seal]], depicting the murder of St Thomas]]
King William gave the Abbey independence from its founding abbey, [[Kelso Abbey]], and endowed it generously, including income from 24 parishes, land in every royal burgh and more.  The Abbey's monks were allowed to run a market and build a harbour.  King [[John of England]] gave the Abbey permission to buy and sell goods anywhere in [[England]] (except London) toll-free.<ref name="EB1911"/>

The Abbey, which was the richest in [[Scotland]], is most famous for its association with the 1320 [[Declaration of Arbroath|Declaration of Scottish Independence]] believed to have been drafted by Abbot [[Bernard of Kilwinning|Bernard]], who was the Chancellor of Scotland under King [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert I]].

The Abbey fell into ruin after the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]].  From 1590 onward, its stones were raided for buildings in the town of [[Arbroath]].  This continued until 1815 when steps were taken to preserve the remaining ruins.

On [[Christmas]] Day 1950, the [[Stone of Scone|Stone of Destiny]] went missing from [[Westminster Abbey]]. On 11 April 1951 the stone was found lying on the site of the Abbey's altar.

Since 1947, a major historical re-enactment commemorating the Declaration's signing has been held within the roofless remains of the Abbey church.  The celebration is run by the local Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society, and tells the story of the events which led up to the signing.  This is not an annual event. However, a special event to mark the signing is held every year on the 6th of April and involves a street procession and short piece of street theatre.

In 2005 The Arbroath Abbey campaign was launched.<ref>[http://www.rampantscotland.com/let051119.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205010415/http://www.rampantscotland.com/let051119.htm|date=2008-02-05}} Rampant Scotland Newsletter, 19 November 2005</ref> The campaign seeks to gain World Heritage Status for the iconic Angus landmark that was the birthplace of one of Scotland's most significant document, The Declaration of Arbroath.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angus.gov.uk/history/features/buildings/arbabbey.htm |title=Local History &#124; Historic Buildings &#124; Arbroath Abbey &#124; Angus Council |access-date=2014-01-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220180351/http://www.angus.gov.uk/history/features/buildings/arbabbey.htm |archive-date=2014-02-20 }}Angus Council Website, Arbroath Abbey article (1998–2008)</ref> Campaigners believe that the Abbey's historical pronouncement makes it a prime candidate to achieve World Heritage Status. MSP Alex Johnstone wrote "Clearly, the Declaration of Arbroath is a literary work of outstanding universal significance by any stretch of the imagination"<ref>[http://arbroathworldheritage.blogspot.com/2005/11/world-heritage-site-status-arbroath.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708023547/http://arbroathworldheritage.blogspot.com/2005/11/world-heritage-site-status-arbroath.html|date=2011-07-08}} The Arbroath World Heritage Campaign, Points on Nomination (2005)</ref> In 2008, the Campaign Group Chairman, Councillor Jim Millar launched a public petition to reinforce the bid explaining "We're simply asking people to, local people especially, to sign up to the campaign to have the Declaration of Arbroath and Arbroath Abbey recognised by the United Nations. Essentially we need local people to sign up to this campaign simply because the United Nations demand it."<ref>[http://www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/video.html?vxSiteId=60fdd544-9c52-4e17-be7e-57a2a2d76992&vxChannel=Most%20Recent%20Videos&vxClipId=1380_SMG1811&vxBitrate=300 "Interview with Jim Millar, February 2008"]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Group Chairman of the Arbroath Abbey Campaign</ref>