The Declaration of Arbroath: new research on stories of the signatories
Introduction
The Declaration of Arbroath Family History Project, run by the Genealogical Studies postgraduate programme within the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Strathclyde, and funded by the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, is now compiling its findings, based on research by students and staff. Here we present the stories of some of the individuals involved, in the 14th century, links that have been found with descendants of their families today and some thoughts on the future use of research methods utilised in the genetic genealogy research which has been carried out.
STORIES OF THE SIGNATORIES
Alexander Seton (b. bef 1296, d. aft 1348)
The Seton family were based in the Lothians and it is thought that the Alexander Seton named in the Declaration may have been the son and heir of Alexander Seton, best remembered for what may have been a vital role he played in connection with the battle of Bannockburn.
In 1308 Alexander senior had entered into a bond with supporters of King Robert Bruce, to defend Robert and the realm of Scotland, but, from around 1310, he proceeded to give his support to the English. On the eve of the battle of Bannockburn, Alexander, seeing the low morale of the English army, defected to the Scots. He relayed his inside information about the morale of the English to King Robert and urged him to proceed with his plans to fight the numerically vastly superior English force. The resulting victory clearly confirmed Seton’s assessment of the situation.
He became steward of the king’s household in 1317 and must have
