SCOTCHMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR JOAN OF ARC.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 361, 9 April 1912, Page 7

SCOTCHMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR JOAN OF ARC.

Few persons are aware of the Scotchmen who were associated; with the Maid of OrLleans, or that among her most reliable sup|nprters were a number of Scotia's sons. Wftlnfsvpage, Louis De Coutes, was of ScotttqgVSescent on his mother's side. According Andrew Lang, his mother belonged to £ffisP family of Mercer of Aldie. It was a pSjotsman who paiated Joan's famous banner, 'which she designed herself — white, embroidered with lilies ; on one side the arms of France supported by two angels, and on the other a picture of God enthroned on clouds, with the motto " Jhesus Maria." There is some doubt as to the name of the painter. It is given m the French records (which make a sad mess of Scottish names) as Hames Poulevoir. ,M. Michel thinks this is meant for James Polwarth ; Dr Hill Burton believes it to be Hume Polwarth ; Father Forges-Leith suggests James Power; and Mr Andrew Lang conjectures that ifc was Powrie. Whatever "his name, he was undoubtedly a Scot. His nationality has never been seriously questioned.

— A Stain Upon Honor. — Scotland has reason to recall with some pride the fact that her sons had no part or share m the death of the pure-souled patriot. The fate of Joan of Arc left a stain upon the honor both of England and of France. It was the English who doomed her to the stake; it was a Burgundian who captured and sold her to them ; and French priests had no small share m her martyrdom; while the dastard monarch who owed his crown to her efforts left her to die. On the other hand, throughout her short but glorious career Scotsmen shared her perils and shed their blood for her. Scotsmen contributed hi no small part to her triumphs, and Scotsmen rode with her m that Jast hold charge m which she was worsted and taken priscner.

— Scottish Helpers. — One of the first steps taken by Joan was to send a convoy of provisions into Orleane under the protection of a band of Scots. Under the command of Sir Patrick Ogi'vy the Scottish knights and men-at-arms accomplished this task, which, previous to the arrival of Joan, the French captains had declared to be impossible. It was one of those important first steps which count. In the subsequent operations for the relief of Orleans, which ended m the retreat of the besiegers, the Scots continued to play a gallant part. The relief of the city has always been recognised as the turning point on the War of Independence, and the date when the siege was raised (Bth May) has been commemorated down through all the centuries since 1429. In several subsequent engaganents the French under Joan were also ably aiaeel by Scottish troops, and there is proof that the Maid repeatedly took counsel with some of the leading Scottish knights. When, on July 17, 1429, Charles was crowned m the Cathedral at Rheims, there were Scottish lords among those who took a leading part m the coronation ceremony. Later, at Monterpilloy, there were, according to a French chronicler, "a great number of Scots who fought hard and fiercely," and so assisted m the defeat which the English sustained. Right down to April, 1430, when a Scottish contingenthelped the Maid to defeat a roaming AngloBurgundian band at Lagny, we find the Scots ever m the forefront when hard fighting was to be done. And at last, m that fatal sally from the besieged town of Compiegne, m which Joan was captured, Scots, it is believed, rode with her and gave their lives m an attempt, atlhough a vain one, to save her.

What followed reflects discredit on all concerned; but none of those concerned were Scots. Taken prisoner by the Burgundians Joan was sold to the English six months later by John of Luxembourg for 10,000 livres. Of the shameful brutality with which she was treated, her sham trial, and her doom there is no need to write here. Her character Was vindicated quickly, aud within J_s years of her death Pope Calixtus 111. declared the whole proceedings of the Bishop of Beauvais to be null and void. Her countrymen before then had enshrined her m their hearts, and for centuries she was referred to as the great uncanoaiscd saint of France. Three years ago .be qualification conveyed by the word " uncanonise.l " was removed, a decree of beatifi.-ut.ion being pronounced by the Pope on 13th November. 1908.