WHEN SCOTLAND'S THRONE WAS IN DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1937, Page 26

WHEN SCOTLAND'S THRONE WAS IN DISPUTE

In exhibition cases at the Public Record Office Museum in Chancery Lane the Scottish records submitted to King Edward I in 1290, and now claimed by Scotland, have been on view, pays "The Times."

For the next few months the London public will have its last chance of seeing them if, as is likely, the Bill presented by Lord Strathcona in the House of Lords becomes law. The passing of the Bill through the two Houses is unlikely to take more than two months, and in any case the records will be removed in April to make room for an exhibition of Coronation records. There are nine documents in all. The most crucial is the 1282 inventory of Papal Bulls and other muniments in the Royal Treasury of Edinburgh Castle. By means of its description of other documents it has been possible to identify some of those, taken by Edward I to assist him, in settling the dispute between the nine claimants to the Scottish throne on the death, of Margaret, Princess of Norway. This inventory is in one case with the letters patent of the Magnates of Scotland acknowledging Princess Margaret as the heiress. This document is much decayed, but the writing is quite clear. . .

A second case contains six of the remaining documents, including two of the Papal Bulls. The' Bull of Pope

Honorius, 111, affirming the independence of the Church of Scotland from the metropolitan jurisdiction of the Archbishops of York, hangs framed on the wall. This has hitherto . formed part of the museum's permanent display, and is the most elaborate Bull on view. ■ . ■■

A bookcase contains relevant books, including the Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, Vol. I, where the records can be seen transcribed and printed. Typewritten descriptive matter, placed on the exhibition cases, explains the intricate corner of history involved.

One of the museum's permanent cases shows the letters patent of the nine Scottish claimants declaring.their willingness to abide by Edward I's decision. Although so closely connected with Scottish history, it cannot be claimed with the other documents, since it was drawn up in favour of the English King under English administration. ... ' ;

If the Bill goes, through the question will arise as to how ■ the records are to be restored to Scotland. The responsibility for their return rests with the Master of the Rolls, 'by whom, states the text of the Bill,' they thall, "as soon as may be after the passing of the" Act, be transmitted" to ■ the Keeper. It may not be considered safe to'send them without a personal escort, and it has been suggested that a deputy keeper may be sent to Edinburgh with them.