600th Anniversary of Scotland’s Victory at the Battle of Baugé

That the Parliament commemorates the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Baugé, which took place near the city of Angers in the West of France on 22 March 1421; understands that this battle, which was part of the Hundred Years’ War, followed an appeal for help to the Scots from the French Dauphin as part of the Auld Alliance after English forces had raided the Anjou region from their base in Normandy; is aware that the battle pitted a Scottish army under the leadership of John Stewart, Earl of Buchan, who were joined by a small number of local forces led by Gilbert La Fayette, Marshal of France, against an English army led by the heir-presumptive of England and brother of Henry V, Thomas, Duke of Clarence; notes that the latter ignored the advice of his lieutenants and attempted to destroy the Scots-French forces based in the small village of Vieil-Baugé; acknowledges that this strategic error led to the English forces being routed with heavy casualties and resulted in the Duke of Clarence’s death; recognises that this first major victory over an English army during the final stages of the Hundred Years’ War changed the course of European history and initiated Charles VII’s campaign to retake more territories from the English north of the Loire; appreciates that the Battle of Baugé secured the reputation of the Scottish army in France, exemplified by Charles VII’s decision to effectively make the Earl of Buchan Commander-in-Chief of the French army in his role as Constable of France; recognises all who lost their lives during the battle and the Hundred Years’ War, and reiterates its commitment to peace and cooperation between all European nations after centuries of conflict.