Joan’s army
You correctly mention (Now and Then, 29 April) Joan of Arc winning a victory over English besiegers at Orleans.
There were substantial Scottish elements both among the defenders of Orleans (led by a Scottish bishop) and in Joan’s army.
On 8 May, 1429 Joan’s triumphal entry to Orleans was, according to French military records, made to the tune we now know as Scots Wha Hae, which the French military still use on ceremonial occasions as The March of the Soldiers of Robert Bruce (Marche des soldats de Robert Bruce).
This supports the belief that our army used the tune at Bannockburn in 1314 – at that time it was known as Hey Tutti Taiti.
David Stevenson
Blacket Place