The Scots and the French were bound together by the Auld Alliance. The Scots Guard - ‘Garde Écossaise’ - was founded in 1418 by Charles VII of France. The Scots soldiers of the Garde Écossaise fought alongside Joan of Arc against England during the Hundred Years War.
In March 1421 a Franco-Scots force under John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Buchan, and Gilbert de Lafayette, defeated a larger English army at the Battle of Baugé. Three years later, at the Battle of Verneuil, the Scots lost around 6000 men, including John Stewart.
The Garde Écossaise was seen as an elite military unit. Louis XI of France had them act as personal bodyguards to the French monarchy. In return for service, Scottish soldiers were often granted honourable positions and lands in France.
In the 15th century Robert de Coningham, Captain of the Garde Écossaise, married Louise Chenin and built the Chateau de Cherveux - Cherveux Castle. Among the stone carvings found in the castle are an owl, a bat, the Scots lion rampant and two musicians; one plays the rebec while the other plays the bagpipes.
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