[MR] The Auld Alliance

[Garth Groff]

Noble Friends, Especially Scots,

This day in 1295 was the beginning of "The Auld Alliance", a military 
relationship between Scotland and France, that was to bring few 
benefits, and many hardships, to the Scots.

The Auld Alliance began with a treaty between the Scottish king John 
Balliol and Philip IV of France against Edward I of England. Edward had 
placed Balliol on the Scottish throne, and considered him a vassal. For 
this treason, Balliol was stripped of his heraldic arms by Edward and 
sent into house arrest in English-held France. Edward began his conquest 
of Scotland, opposed by Sir William Wallace and later by self-proclaimed 
King of the Scots Robert the Bruce.

The Alliance continued to be invoked by Scotland or France, often at the 
request of the French as a diversionary tactic during the Hundred Years 
War. The result was usually a crushing defeat for the Scots at the hands 
of the English. After the massacre of its best army at Agincourt in 
1415, the French relied on a hired Scottish army fighting for them in 
France itself until they could slowly rebuild their forces. Only 
occasionally did the French send help to Scotland. Some French troops 
were provided James IV in 1513 when he invaded England, again at the 
request of the French who were fighting against Henry VIII. James, the 
best of the Stuarts, was killed in battle at Flodden along with all the 
French (mostly massacred by the angry Scots).

Within Scotland itself, the Alliance was divisive, and frequently 
resulted in "assured Scots" (Scots in the pay of the English) rising 
against the pro-French factions.

Even after the Union of the Flags in 1707, when Scotland was officially 
joined to England to form Great Britain, France continued to meddle in 
Scottish affairs. The Jacobite risings were partially bankrolled by 
France, and even some troops were sent to assist Bonnie Prince Charlie's 
army in 1745/46.

You can read more about The Auld Alliance at: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Alliance .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Who Thinks the Alliance Was a Crock for the Scots