View source for Arbroath Abbey

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox church
| image = Arbroath Abbey1.jpg
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|56.5625|-2.582222|format=dms|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| founded date = 1178
| founder = King William the Lion
| embedded = {{Infobox designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Category B Listed Building
| designation1_offname = Arbroath Abbey
| designation1_date = 10 October 1971
| designation1_number = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB21135|short=yes}}
| designation2 = Scheduled Monument
| designation2_offname = Arbroath Abbey and associated buildings
| designation2_type = Ecclesiastical: abbey
| designation2_date = 31 December 1921
| designation2_number = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90018|short=yes}}
}}
}}

'''Arbroath Abbey''', in the Scottish town of [[Arbroath]], was founded in 1178 by [[William I of Scotland|King William the Lion]] for a group of [[Tironensian]] [[Benedictine]] monks from [[Kelso Abbey]].  It was [[consecration|consecrated]] in 1197 with a dedication to the deceased [[Thomas Becket|Saint Thomas Becket]], whom the king had met at the [[England|English]] court.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Arbroath|volume=2|page=339}}</ref> It was William's only personal foundation — he was buried before the high altar of the church in 1214.<ref>{{cite CE1913|wstitle=Abbey of Arbroath|first=David Oswald Hunter|last= Blair}}</ref>

The last Abbot was [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[David Beaton]], who in 1522 succeeded his uncle James to become Archbishop of [[St Andrews]].  The Abbey is cared for by [[Historic Environment Scotland]] and is open to the public throughout the year (entrance charge).  The distinctive red [[sandstone]] ruins stand at the top of the High Street in Arbroath.

==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>[https://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>

==Architectural description==
[[Image:Arbroath Abbey2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Arbroath Abbey, showing The Round 'O']]
The Abbey was built over some sixty years using local red sandstone, but gives the impression of a single coherent, mainly '[[Early English Period|Early English]]' architectural design, though the round-arched processional doorway in the western front looks back to late [[Normans|Norman]] or transitional work.  The [[triforium]] (open arcade) above the door is unique in Scottish medieval architecture.  It is flanked by twin towers decorated with blind arcading.  The [[cruciform]] church measured {{convert|276|ft|m}} long by {{convert|160|ft|m}} wide.<ref name="EB1911"/>  What remains of it today are the [[sacristy]], added by Abbot Paniter in the 15th century, the southern [[transept]], which features Scotland's largest [[lancet window]]s, part of the [[choir]] and [[presbytery (architecture)|presbytery]], the southern half of the [[nave]], parts of the western towers and the western doorway.
The church originally had a central tower and (probably) a spire.  These would once have been visible from many miles over the surrounding countryside, and no doubt once acted as a sea mark for ships.  The soft sandstone of the walls was originally protected by plaster internally and render externally.  These coatings are long gone and much of the architectural detail is sadly eroded, though detached fragments found in the ruins during consolidation give an impression of the original refined, rather austere, architectural effect.

The distinctive round window high in the south transept was originally lit up at night as a [[beacon]] for mariners.  It is known locally as the 'Round O', and from this tradition inhabitants of [[Arbroath]] are colloquially known as 'Reid Lichties' (Scots reid = red).

Little remains of the claustral buildings of the Abbey except for the impressive gatehouse, which stretches between the south-west corner of the church and a defensive tower on the High Street, and the still complete Abbot's House, a building of the 13th, 15th and 16th centuries, which is the best preserved of its type in [[Scotland]].
[[File:ArbroathAbbeyNave.jpg|thumb|left|The [[nave]] of Arbroath Abbey, as observed from the west]]
In the summer of 2001, a new visitors' centre was opened to the public beside the Abbey's west front.  This red sandstone-clad building, with its distinctive 'wave-shaped' organic roof, planted with sedum, houses displays on the history of the Abbey and some of the best surviving stonework and other relics.  The upper storey features a scale model of the Abbey complex, a computer-generated 'fly-through' reconstruction of the church as it was when complete, and a viewing gallery with excellent views of the ruins.  The centre won the 2002 Angus Design Award.  An archaeological investigation of the site of the visitors' centre before building started revealed the foundations of the medieval precinct wall, with a gateway, and stonework discarded during manufacture, showing that the area was the site of the masons' yard while the Abbey was being built.

==See also==
*[[Abbot of Arbroath]], for a list of abbots and commendators
*[[1950 removal of the Stone of Scone]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90018|desc=Arbroath Abbey and associated buildings, including the Abbot's House}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041205005029/http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/arbroath/arbroathabbey/ ''Undiscovered Scotland's'' detailed history]
* https://web.archive.org/web/20140220180351/http://www.angus.gov.uk/history/features/buildings/arbabbey.htm
* http://www.arbroathabbeypageant.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120716201840/http://www.angus.gov.uk/new/releases-archive/2003/2003-02-07a.html 2002 Angus Design Award]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1178 establishments]]
[[Category:12th century in Scotland]]
[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 1170s]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Angus, Scotland]]
[[Category:History of Angus, Scotland]]
[[Category:Tironensian monasteries]]
[[Category:Category B listed buildings in Angus, Scotland]]
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in Angus]]
[[Category:Historic Environment Scotland properties in Angus]]
[[Category:Listed monasteries in Scotland]]
[[Category:Former Christian monasteries in Scotland]]
[[Category:Arbroath]]
[[Category:Thomas Becket]]