Auld Alliance

The Auld Alliance (Scots form of 'Old Alliance') is a term used, principally in Scotland, to commemorate the historic ties between Scotland and France. The phrase first appears in an Act of the Scots Parliament in 1566, but the origin of the phenomenon dates back to John Balliol, who concluded a mutual defensive pact with France in 1295–6 against Plantagenet aggressive policy. As a result of this pact, often subsequently renewed, England's struggles with France or with Scotland were often complicated by attacks launched by the other, as can be seen in Shakespeare's Henry V, where the king says

We must not only arm to invade the French,

But lay down our proportions to defend

Against the Scot, who will make road upon us

With all advantages.

Many royal marriages were made between the Scots and French royal families to cement the relationship.

• • Alexander II's second wife was Marie de Coucy (d. 1284), the daughter of Enguerrand (III) de Coucy, a great landlord in Picardy. Their son was
  • Alexander III, whose second wife was (2) Yolande, daughter of the powerful Comte de Dreux
  • Margaret of Scotland (1424–1445), the daughter of James I), married the dauphin who was to become Louis XI of France, but then died young (at the age of 20), with no children.
  • In 1537 James V married Madeleine of Valois (1520–1537), favourite daughter of Francois I. She too died young (17), within six months of the marriage - she seems to have been tubercular.
  • James then immediately married Mary of Guise, in 1538. She gave birth to Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587), who succeeded to the throne at 6 days old. As the price of French military support, and to keep her safe, particularly from Henry VIII's 'Rough Wooing' a war to enforce a match between Mary and his son Edward, later VI, Mary was taken to France,
  • where in 1548 she was betrothed, and in 1558 married, to the dauphin François. They sere thus King and queen of Scotland, although the marriage contract specified that it was a separate kingdom to that of France.
  • In 1559 they became king and queen of France, François having succeeded Henry II (1519–1559) as François II. When he died in 1560, Mary returned to Scotland.