History Scotland Magazine: Review - An Antidote to the English: the Auld Alliance, 1295-1560, Norman Macdougall

An Antidote to the English: the Auld Alliance, 1295-1560

Norman Macdougall

Tuckwell Press, 2001Pb 9.99 15 illustrations.

Although it was the Scots to whom Pope Martin V was referring when he coined the term an antidote to the English, the adoption of this phrase as title for the book is notably apt. For the French the auld alliance was indeed an antidote, securing Scottish help in their wars against the English. But latter-day interpretations of this ancien relationship have detracted from the original intentions of this alliance as a temporary offensive and defensive union directed against England. The auld alliance was borne out of mutual need for an ally during the course of Scottish and French affairs with England. Edward I had capitalised on the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, in 1290, and secured recognition from her would-be successors of his sovereign lordship over Scotland, subsequently receiving homage from John Balliol, whom he supported, when inaugurated as king of Scotland. John, as king, was faced with a very difficult situation as Edward sought to exercise his new found rights of overlordship but benefited from the growing hostility between Edward as duke of Aquitaine and his feudal superior, Philip IV of France.

Therefore, the signing of the Treaty of Paris on 23 October 1295 between France and Scotland was a pragmatic measure designed to suit their immediate needs. Typical of Scottish bonds of friendship and mutual assistance that were prolific during later centuries it included provision for a marriage between the two parties, although this did not come to fruition. The outbreak of the Hundred Years War in the fourteenth century heightened French need for continuation of the relationship and the alliance was transformed, as Macdougall describes it, into something more permanent unimaginable only a generation before. Throughout the rest of the fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries the alliance continued along a military vein. But the end of the Hundred Years War in 1453 saw the shift in emphasis from military aid to diplomacy which had the underlying support of the Scottish diaspora in France, and although it continued into the sixteenth century Macdougall argues that with the death of James IV at Flodden, the writing was on the wall for the auld alliance. With the emergence of Charles Vs empire, both the French and English had to deal with a more powerful and threatening force in Europe. French influence in Scotland ended with the death of Mary of Guise in June 1560 followed closely by the death of Francis II six months later.

Macdougall argues that any further alliance between Scotland and France would have been counter-productive. 1560 is generally known as the date of the Reformation in Scotland, rather than the year that witnessed the death of Mary of Guise and her son-in-law. By this time Scotland was experiencing the violence that came with religious conflict and France was heading towards a similar fate. In international terms, England was no longer Frances main enemy, while Scotland, under various Stewart kings, had moved closer towards alliance with England. This would be strengthened during the reign of James VI and culminate with his succession to the English crown.

The opening sentence states that this text is a modest-sized book about a vast subject. By conveying this point at the outset, Macdougall displaces initial fears that arise through judging a book, not by its cover, but by its size. The book deals with the military and diplomatic aspects of an alliance that spanned nearly three centuries. It concentrates on the interrelationship between Scotland and France, and the role that England played in strengthening or weakening it, whether consciously or not, at various times. Domestic events of both powers are examined in light of the effect that they had on the alliance. In some cases this may lead to unanswered questions for those with little detailed knowledge of Scottish, English or French history during this period. Macdougall counters this as the reader can easily go elsewhere for fuller accounts of Scottish history during this period. Indeed, Macdougall does well to present such a concise analysis of events and to concentrate solely on events that had repercussions for the Franco-Scottish alliance.

However, this concentration on the military and diplomatic issues results in weaknesses in other aspects. Economic factors are mentioned briefly, perhaps a little too briefly given the importance of trading links for Scotland, England and France during this period, while he does give a rather fleeting mention to the influence of French architecture on Stirling castle and the royal palace at Falkland. Taking on such a task in a small text will undoubtedly lead to criticism. To quote Keith Brown in his recent review of The Scottish Nation 1700-2000, it is always easy for a reviewer to concentrate on what is not in a book. Although limited, Macdougalls analysis is clear and unbiased. He addresses the individual personalities and prejudices of various kings, commenting on the role of chivalry in the attitudes of David II, Philip IV and Edward III and the repercussions this had on how these kings regarded each other. However, he is weak on his analysis of why James I renewed the auld alliance despite close links with the English throne, his education at the English court, and the fact that James modelled his kingship on the ruthless and aggressive style of Henry V. He addresses the view that the French benefited most from the agreement. In terms of manpower alone, the Scottish commitment was immense and although it can be argued that in the initial stages, for a remote and impoverished kingdom an alliance with one of Europes greatest powers was advantage enough, is this true of the fifteenth and sixteenth century?

While acknowledging that in a book this size analysis is limited, one of the main criticisms is that Macdougall does not always clearly differentiate between king and nation. For example, the perception of the Scots who remained in France by the French, and their anger when rewards of land in their own country were given to individual Scots is addressed, but when Macdougall asserts that Charles VII wanted Scottish help he does not discuss the attitude of the French people. Although Macdougall presents the Bruce-Balliol conflict in a balanced and objective way, commenting on the time Bruce held fortresses in the south of Scotland for Edward I, the lack of depth to the analysis of Scotlands struggle for recognition as an independent nation within an international context is a hindrance. Macdougall fails to address how the continuity of the auld alliance shaped the emerging Scottish identity, or how Scots viewed alliance with France as opposed to alliance with England. How did the Scottish people feel about their king James I fighting alongside the English king against his own people who sided with the French? While it can be said that he does not engage in this discussion in any depth, this criticism is unfair to level only at Macdougall, for the question of a Scottish national identity is one that has not yet received proper attention.

The absence of footnotes or bibliography, only suggestions for further reading, may be a further point of weakness. However, as part of the Scottish History Matters series, this book is aimed at students and a more general readership, pointing them in the direction of the best of contemporary scholarship to find answers to remaining questions. Macdougall himself asserts that in writing this book he is attempting to provide an introduction to the subject for a wider audience, and at the same time bring together a great deal of disparate work on this topic. If he succeeds in either or both he will be satisfied, and in that respect he should be. While he does not present us with a definitive analysis of the auld alliance, he clearly states that this was never his intention. As an introduction to the topic, An Antidote to the English is an easy read and gives a balanced examination of events relating to the Franco-Scottish alliance within a period of history that is both vast and complex.

Dr Alison Cathart,
Department of History, University of Aberdeen