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1/18 Joan of Arc - The Scots arrive in France -
"Consumers of mutton and wine." That was the fairly dismissive description which met the Scottish soldiers who arrived in France in the autumn 1419. This was a dark time for the French with the disastrous defeat at
"Consumers of mutton and wine." That was the fairly dismissive description which met the Scottish soldiers who arrived in France in the autumn 1419. This was a dark time for the French with the disastrous defeat at
2/18 Agincourt in 1415 still casting a long, cold shadow over the land. The English King, Henry V, was in the ascendency. He'd even brokered a treaty securing the French royal succession for his son. In seeming desperation, the Dauphin Charles appealed to Scotland
3/18 for help. It was a decision he was soon to be very grateful for making.
The Scottish army's first great test came on Easter Sunday 1421 at the Loire town of Baugé. The English were led by Henry V's brother, Thomas Duke of Clarence. The Scots, about 6000 strong, were
The Scottish army's first great test came on Easter Sunday 1421 at the Loire town of Baugé. The English were led by Henry V's brother, Thomas Duke of Clarence. The Scots, about 6000 strong, were
4/18 led by John Stewart, the Earl of Buchan. The English broke the Paschal truce. The Scots responded. By sunset, the English army had been routed and the Duke of Clarence lay dead on the field of battle. As Pope Martin V observed upon hearing the news, "the Scots are
5/18 well-known as an antidote to the English".
Following the victory, the Dauphin was quick to recognise the valour of his Scottish forces. He'd already created a personal bodyguard for himself consisting solely of Scots, the Garde Ecossaise. Now Buchan was made
Following the victory, the Dauphin was quick to recognise the valour of his Scottish forces. He'd already created a personal bodyguard for himself consisting solely of Scots, the Garde Ecossaise. Now Buchan was made
6/18 Constable of France and, so, put in command of the French army.
Reversals of fortune were also to come the way of the Scottish army in the years which followed. Indeed, Buchan himself was killed in battle at Verneuil in Normandy in 1424. These defeats, however
Reversals of fortune were also to come the way of the Scottish army in the years which followed. Indeed, Buchan himself was killed in battle at Verneuil in Normandy in 1424. These defeats, however
, 7/18 were almost always due to evaporation of French support at key moments during conflict. Hence, the courage of the Scots was never called into question up to, and including, that first great campaign of St Joan of Arc in 1429.
The Relief of Orléans.
Joan was led
The Relief of Orléans.
Joan was led
8/18 into the besieged city of Orléans on April 28th, 1429, to the celebratory skirl of the Scottish pipes. The tune played for her was "Hey Tuttie Taiti". The same tune that had marched Robert the Bruce into battle at Bannockburn a century before. The same tune that
9/18 Robert Burns would set to his poem "Scots Wha Hae" centuries later.
Her escort consisted of 60 Scottish men-at-arms and 70 Scottish archers led by Sir Patrick Ogilvy of Auchterhouse, hereditary sheriff of Angus. And her standard, depicting God as King of Heaven, was
Her escort consisted of 60 Scottish men-at-arms and 70 Scottish archers led by Sir Patrick Ogilvy of Auchterhouse, hereditary sheriff of Angus. And her standard, depicting God as King of Heaven, was
10/18 made a few months previous by Hamish Powers, a Scotsman living in the city of Tours.
There to welcome her was the bishop of the city. And, yes, he was a Scotsman too. John Carmichael was his name although he was known to his French flock as Bishop Jean de St Michael.
There to welcome her was the bishop of the city. And, yes, he was a Scotsman too. John Carmichael was his name although he was known to his French flock as Bishop Jean de St Michael.
11/18 A priest and a native of Lanarkshire, Carmichael was amongst the victors at Baugé and the survivors at Verneuil. Indeed, one of his first acts upon becoming bishop was to institute a Messe Ecossais for the souls of the Scottish dead. That pious custom continues
12/18 to this day.
"I think the part of the Scots is really underestimated and underappreciated" says Ben Kennedy, a Kentucky based military historian and keen student of all things connected with St Joan. He estimates that Scottish soldiers would have made up about a
"I think the part of the Scots is really underestimated and underappreciated" says Ben Kennedy, a Kentucky based military historian and keen student of all things connected with St Joan. He estimates that Scottish soldiers would have made up about a
13/18 quarter of St Joan's army sent to relieve Orléans.
Here's how Andrew Lang, through the eyes of his monk, Norman Leslie, dramatically describes those battles which relieved Orléans, scattered the English from the surrounding lands and finally swung the Hundred
Here's how Andrew Lang, through the eyes of his monk, Norman Leslie, dramatically describes those battles which relieved Orléans, scattered the English from the surrounding lands and finally swung the Hundred
14/18 Years War decisively in favour of France;
"Come on!" cried Randal Rutherford. "Come on, men of the Marches, Scots of the Forest, Elliots, Rutherfords, Armstrongs, and deem that, wheresoever a Southron slinks behind a stone, there is Carlisle wall!"
The
"Come on!" cried Randal Rutherford. "Come on, men of the Marches, Scots of the Forest, Elliots, Rutherfords, Armstrongs, and deem that, wheresoever a Southron slinks behind a stone, there is Carlisle wall!"
The
15/18 Rough Clan roared "Bellenden!" the Buchanans cried "Clare Innis," a rag of a hairy Highlander from the Lennox blew a wild skirl on the war-pipes, and hearing the Border slogan shouted in a strange country, nom Dieu! my blood burned, as that of any Scotsman would.
16/18 Contrary to the Maid's desire, for she had noted that I was wan and weary, and had commanded me to bide in cover, I cried "A Leslie! a Leslie!" and went forward with my own folk, sword in hand and buckler lifted.
Beside good Randal Rutherford I ran, and we both
Beside good Randal Rutherford I ran, and we both
17/18 leaped together into the ditch. There was a forest of ladders set against the wall, and I had my foot on a rung, when the Maid ran up and cried, "Nom Dieu! what make you here? Let me lead my Scots"
Victory after victory ensued. The military procession to Rheims
Victory after victory ensued. The military procession to Rheims
18/18 continued with the Garde Ecossaise providing an escort for both Joan and the Dauphin. And so, in the July, King Charles VII was crowned by six bishops including Bishop Carmichael.
My thanks to - http://www.maidofheaven.com/
My thanks to - http://www.maidofheaven.com/
