This week – 22-23 October 1295

Treaty of ‘Auld Alliance’ between Scotland and France was concluded in Paris. The treaty, at least on paper, was one of a mutual Franco-Scottish alliance against King Edward of England. Militarily, though, it was one-sided in France’s favour. Scotland was obligated to invade England should France be attacked, but if the situation was reversed, the French only offered to do what they could. Terms most important to King John was the promise of marriage between his only son, Edward, and Jeanne de Valois, niece of the French king Philip IV, as well as a personal gift of about £6,250 upon the marriage. Both would be voided, however, when he was forced to renounce the treaty the following year. As dower, King John promised an annual rent of £1,500 and an annual rent of £1,000 worth of lands from Bailleul, Dompierre, Hélicourt and Hornoy (Balliol’s ancestral properties in France) and from Lanark, Cadzow, Mauldslie, Cunninghame, Haddington and in the castle of Dundee in the kingdom of Scotland. The treaty was ratified by King John at Dunfermline on 23 February 1296.