A rare letter linked to William Wallace will be showcased across the UK as part of a new joint curatorial agreement between National Records of Scotland (NRS) and The National Archives.
The letter was written in 1300 from King Philip IV of France, instructing his agents in the Papal court to give Wallace his support. It is believed to be one of only two surviving documents with a personal connection to Wallace.
The document has been on loan to NRS since 2012 and will now return to The National Archives.
The letter will go on display at Kew in 2027 as part of The National Archives’ public programme, enabling thousands of visitors to see the document.
The document will then return to Scotland from 2028 until 2031. This new loan will similarly allow for curated display in Edinburgh and potentially more widely across Scotland, working with other Scottish cultural institutions.
The Wallace letter speaks to our shared history, and this agreement provides an opportunity for anyone interested in the document to view it and to develop a deeper understanding of its historical significance.
Saul Nassé, Chief Executive and Keeper of Public Records at The National Archives
This collaborative approach will help to maximise public access to the letter while reflecting its shared historical importance. I look forward to the letter returning to Scotland from 2028.
Alison Byrne, Chief Executive of National Records Scotland