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In 1418, the Dauphin Charles appealed to the Scots
and Castilians for aid against the English and the Burgrundians
who were holding his father, King Charles VII, in captivity. Sieur
de Plusquallec, governor of La Rochelle, arrived in Scotland with
an embassy, and Robert Duke of Albany and Governor of Scotland
agreed to provide aid despite the captivity of Scotlands James I
in England. Albany sent his second son John Stewart, Earl of
Buchan, Chamberlain and later Constable of France, along with 7000
men to support Charles. Charles agreed to pay 119,000 livres
tournois to the Scots in return for their services.
The campaigns of 1419 were led by French
commanders: Michel de Normanville commanded the 100 Scottish
archers at Loches; and Louis d’Escrouilles led the Franco-Scottish
forces at Melun, while William Douglas of Drumlanrig and his
lieutenant Thomas Kirkpatrick led 150 men-at arms, 300 archers at
Mehun-sur-Yevre near Bourges. The siege of Tours resulted in
grants to the Scots in the campaigns – Buchan received
Chatillon-sur-Indre in Touraine, Archibald, Earl of Wigtown and
future fifth Earl of Douglas, was granted Dun-le-Roi in Berry;
John Stewart, Lord of Darnley, was granted Croncressault in Berry,
and Thomas Seton obtained Chateau of Langeais
(who appears thus titled in an
undated quittance of the period), lying west
of Tours.
The Scottish forces were used by the dauphin on three
fronts: one – as the garde ecossaise, his personal bodyguards
against the Burgundians, two – to aid the garrisons at Maine and
Anjou and three – in the dauphin’s army.
Several Scottish companies
entered the Dauphinist forces during 1419; Guillaume Bel, captain
of 30 men at arms and 80 archers entered service at Sancerre on
22nd February and moved to Gien with 13 of his Esquires (men at
arms) in March, while Thomas du Seton with 38 men at arms and 120
archers, and Guillaume Douglas (du Glas) with 100 and 200
respectively, had recently come from Scotland and appear in the
accounts of Mace Heron, one of the Tresoriers des Guerres for the
period 18th August 1418 - 20th October 1419. Seton is presumably
to be identified with the Thomas 'Deston' (de Seton), captain of slightly
smaller forces in May and June of the year. After the
victories at Le Mons and Melun in 1420, The Dauphin informed his
supporters of their arrival with joy and issued their leaders with
gifts. The stable accounts illustrate this; on 31st November three
coursers were bought and one given later to the Earl of Wigtown.
Thomas Seton received a similar present shortly afterwards.
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