Pope Clement V, who had excommunicated Bruce in1310, was dead, and Edward II (the English King) now invited his successor Pope John XXII to confirm the excommunication. His action provoked a strong reaction from the nobles, clergy, and commons of Scotland. Meeting at Arbroath in April 1320, they addressed to the Pope a notable declaration, in which they proclaimed their devotion to Bruce and to liberty. And of Bruce: "By the providence of God, by the right of succession, by those laws and customs and which we are resolved to defend even with our lives, and by our own just consent, he is our King.""Yet if Robert himself should he turn aside from the task he has begun and yield Scotland of us to the English king or his people, we should cast out as the enemy of us all, and we should choose another king to defend our freedom; for so long as a hundred remain alive we are whit to bow beneath the yoke of English dominion." After receiving this message, the Pope seems to have shown himself rather more forthcomming towards Scotland, and, though still hesitating to recognize Bruce as King, eventually agreed to annul his excommunication.