Auld Alliance

The Auld Alliance, is thought to reach as far back as 1165 and William the Lion, however the first documentary evidence dates from the treaty signed by John Balliol in 1295 between Scotland, Norway and France. (Norway never invoked the treaty but she was involved in Franco-Scottish politics until 1746). The terms of the treaty stipulated that if any country was attacked by England the other countries would invade English territory, as became evident at the Battle of Flodden, 1513.

Table of contents

1 Wider Influences
2 Relationship with France
3 Alliance Endures
4 External Links
5 See also

Wider Influences

Although, principally, a military and diplomatic agreement it also granted dual citizenship in both countries, thus its influence also extended into the lives of the Scottish population in a number of ways, including architecture, law, the spoken language and cuisine, due in part to the Scottish mercenaries participating in French armies. Scots also greatly enjoyed having their choice of France's finest wines.

Relationship with France

In 1421 at the Battle of Bauge French and Scots forces dealt a crushing defeat on the English for which the Scots were richly rewarded. However, their victory was a short lived one: at Vernuil in 1424 the Scots army was annihilated. Despite this defeat, the Scots had given France a valuable breathing space, effectively saving the country from English domination.

In addition, in 1429 Scots came to the aid of Joan of Arc in her famous relief of Orleans, many went on to form the Garde �cossais, the fiercely loyal bodyguard of the French monarchy. Many Scots mercenaries choose to settle in France although they continued to consider themselves Scots.

Alliance Endures

In 1326, Robert the Bruce renewed the alliance with the Treaty of Corbeil. During the 14th and 15th centuries the treaty was invoked six times.

In 1560, after more than 250 years, the alliance between Scotland and France was officially ended by the Treaty of Edinburgh. Scotland was declared Protestant and now allied itself with Protestant England. See John Knox.