Document 2/156/14 (A-S Relations, no. 28)
- Description
- Boniface VIII writes to Edward I, noting that from ancient times the realm of Scotland belonged rightfully, and is still known to belong, to the Roman church, and that it was not, and is not, feudally subject to his predecessors, the kings of England, nor to himself; likewise that Henry, king of England, his father, in the time of the conflict between him and Simon de Montfort and his accomplices, sought for held at the hands of Alexander, king of Scotland and son-in-law of Henry, and Henry caused his letter patent to be issued to the king of Scotland in which he distinctly admitted that he had received this help only as an act of special grace. Further, because Edward wanted to have the king of Scotland, his brother-in-law, at this coronation, he was careful to protect his interests by his letter patent declaring that Alexander’s presence at the ceremony was not of right, but only by grace. When Alexander appeared in person, in Edward’s presence, to offer him the fealty which was usual for the lands of Tynedale and Penrith, he publicly declared that he offered that fealty only for those lands in England and not as king of Scotland. Also, when the same king of Scotland had died, the late Margaret was left as his heir, a girl who was Edward’s niece, and a minor, and that the wardship of the kingdom did not devolve upon him as lord but to certain magnates elected for its custody. After a dispensation was granted by the apostolic see for the marriage between Edward, his son, and Margaret, Edward was known to have safeguarded the interests of the nobles by writing that the realm should remain forever free and subject to nobody. Further, when Margaret died, the nobles of the realm feared that prejudice would arise to them and would not come to his presence outside the realm unless a recognition were given to them by his letter patent that this was done by special grace, not by right. Boniface also mentions the role of papal legates, made by Pope Adrian, his predecessor, who was then [Ottobono] cardinal-deacon of S Adrian and legate. He also mentions how Edward has seized and committed into prison Robert, bishop of Glasgow, and Mark, bishop of Sodor, and he requests that the bishops be restored to their liberty and to recall from Scotland his officials. He should send to the pope any assertions of rights to the realm of Scotland within six months from the receipt of this letter.
- Firm date
- 27 June 1299
- Dating Notes
- 5 kal. July, , pontifical year 5
- Place date (modern)
- Anagni
- Place date (document)
- Anagnie
- Related Place
- Anagni
- Source for Data Entry
- Anglo-Scottish Relations, no. 28
- Trad. ID
- A-S Relations, no. 28
- Calendar number
- 2/156/14
- Charter type
- Papal letter
- Language
- Latin
- Original (contemporary)
- yes
- Notes
- TNA, SC7/6/10: This document is often referred to as Scimus fili. It was presented to Edward I at Sweetheart Abbey by Archbishop Winchelsey in August 1300, more than a year after it was written. Two replies were sent, one by the barons of England (12 Feb. 1301) and by Edward himself (17 May 1301) (Anglo-Scottish Relations, 81)