Antoine d'Arces
Encyclopedia
Antoine d'Arcy, sieur de la Bastie-sur-Meylan and of Lissieu, (d. 18 September 1517) was a French nobleman involved in the government of Scotland
.
. Antoine came to Scotland for the tournaments of James IV
and the king's marriage to Margaret Tudor
in 1502, and he was a friend of John Stewart, Duke of Albany. Antoine issued an international 'cartel' - a tournament challenge, in 1506, and travelled to Scotland where he stayed for 18 weeks at the king's expense. He jousted with James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
at Stirling Castle
in January 1507. James IV gave him 400 crowns and paid for his horse's hoofs to be bathed in wine. He returned to France with the Archdeacon of St Andrews, Gavin Dunbar on the Treasurer
on 18 May 1507.
He served in the Italian Wars
and was captured at Agnadello
in 1509 by the Venetians. Antoine married Françoise de Ferrières, dame de Livarol. They had two children; Jean d'Arces, baron de Livarol, and Anne.
to help form Albany's government. Antoine returned with some ships of the Royal Scots Navy
which had been lent to France. As a French ambassador, his instructions from Louis XII of France
dated 5 October 1513 include: commiserating with Margaret Tudor; finding out the circumstances of James's death at Flodden; and going to Denmark to give an account of the state of Auld Alliance
. Albany also gave him instructions. With a colleague, Master James Ogilvy, de la Bastie represented French interest at a parliament or council at Perth
, 26 November 1513, which called for French aid and the return of Albany to be Regent of Scotland. Antoine went to Christian II of Denmark
with Sir Andrew Brownhill in January 1514. He was to promote the mutual benefits of the Danish king's marriage to a French noblewoman, Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne
, Albany's sister-in-law.
Antoine was made Deputy Governor and Warden of Scottish Marches
, and was the keeper of Dunbar Castle
. On 25 April 1517 he was made the King's Lieutenant between the Merse and Lothian
. At Dunbar and at Edinburgh Castle
, he was involved in the design and construction of artillery fortifications. He had a company of 40 spearmen. In August 1517, during an outbreak of plague in the Edinburgh, James V of Scotland
was moved to the care of De la Bastie at nearby rural Craigmillar Castle
.
in revenge for Albany's execution of Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home
. While pursuing David Home, Laird of Wedderburn
and George Home, he was forced to retreat to Dunbar, but his horse got stuck in a marsh (which was for many years after called 'Batty's Bog'). George Home lopped off the White Knight's head and, it was said, threaded the diplomat's hair to his saddle cloth, then rode to Duns
and set this trophy on a pole in the centre of the village. The chronicler Lindsay of Pitscottie writing in the 1570s tells the story;
John Lesley
's version, also written in the 1570s, differs only slightly. Antoine came to break Wedderburn's siege of Langton Castle
, and according to his sixteenth century translator; "Bautie, tha heidet, and in the toun of Dunce his heid affixt on a staik, that all men mycht se it, September xix."
By all accounts, the head was taken to Wedderburn Castle, and remained there for three hundred years.
This was a significant international incident, as de la Bastie was both Border Warden and French ambassador. Francis I of France
wrote to the Parliament of Scotland
on 16 November 1517 urging punishment. In response James Hamilton of Finnart
carried the reply at the end of March 1528 that his father the Earl of Arran
had captured the Home family strongholds, one Home had been hung drawn and quartered, and the others had escaped into England.
There is monument to Bastie at Preston, Scottish Borders
, erected by General James Home in early 19th-century in honour of Antoine d'Arces. It consists of a square plinth and pedestal embossed with crosses with a classical cornice, topped by a stylised urn. Antoine's body was buried nearby, it is said, close to the scene of the murder in a field at Swallowdene farm.
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
.
The White Knight
Antoine d'Arces, or d'Arcy, is usually known as "De la Bastie" or "Labatie" in Scottish history. He was the son of Jesus d'Arces, sieur de la Bâtie and Anthoinette Baile (or Huguette). In his lifetime he was called the White Knight, (Chevalier Blanc), from his white clothes, white armour, or a white scarf worn as the favour of Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany
Anne, Duchess of Brittany , also known as Anna of Brittany , was a Breton ruler, who was to become queen to two successive French kings. She was born in Nantes, Brittany, and was the daughter of Francis II, Duke of Brittany and Margaret of Foix. Her maternal grandparents were Queen Eleanor of...
. Antoine came to Scotland for the tournaments of James IV
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
and the king's marriage to Margaret Tudor
Margaret Tudor
Margaret Tudor was the elder of the two surviving daughters of Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York, and the elder sister of Henry VIII. In 1503, she married James IV, King of Scots. James died in 1513, and their son became King James V. She married secondly Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of...
in 1502, and he was a friend of John Stewart, Duke of Albany. Antoine issued an international 'cartel' - a tournament challenge, in 1506, and travelled to Scotland where he stayed for 18 weeks at the king's expense. He jousted with James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran and 2nd Lord Hamilton was a Scottish nobleman and first cousin of James IV of Scotland.-Biography:...
at Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep...
in January 1507. James IV gave him 400 crowns and paid for his horse's hoofs to be bathed in wine. He returned to France with the Archdeacon of St Andrews, Gavin Dunbar on the Treasurer
Treasurer (warship)
The Treasurer was a Scottish warship in the Royal Scots Navy in the 16th century.The Treasurer was purchased by James IV of Scotland from a merchant of Le Conquet near Brest, and appears to have been commissioned by Robert Barton of Over Barnton. The Treasurer sailed with the Margaret to Flanders...
on 18 May 1507.
He served in the Italian Wars
Italian Wars
The Italian Wars, often referred to as the Great Italian Wars or the Great Wars of Italy and sometimes as the Habsburg–Valois Wars, were a series of conflicts from 1494 to 1559 that involved, at various times, most of the city-states of Italy, the Papal States, most of the major states of Western...
and was captured at Agnadello
Agnadello
Agnadello is a comune and village in the province of Cremona, lombardy, northern Italy. It was the location of the battle of Agnadello in which Louis XII of France defeated the Venetians on 14 May 1509....
in 1509 by the Venetians. Antoine married Françoise de Ferrières, dame de Livarol. They had two children; Jean d'Arces, baron de Livarol, and Anne.
Albany's Lieutenant
He came to Scotland immediately after the Scots' defeat at FloddenBattle of Flodden Field
The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field or occasionally Battle of Branxton was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey...
to help form Albany's government. Antoine returned with some ships of the Royal Scots Navy
Royal Scots Navy
The Royal Scots Navy was the navy of the Kingdom of Scotland from its foundation in the 11th century until its merger with the Kingdom of England's Royal Navy per the Acts of Union 1707.- Origins :...
which had been lent to France. As a French ambassador, his instructions from Louis XII of France
Louis XII of France
Louis proved to be a popular king. At the end of his reign the crown deficit was no greater than it had been when he succeeded Charles VIII in 1498, despite several expensive military campaigns in Italy. His fiscal reforms of 1504 and 1508 tightened and improved procedures for the collection of taxes...
dated 5 October 1513 include: commiserating with Margaret Tudor; finding out the circumstances of James's death at Flodden; and going to Denmark to give an account of the state of Auld Alliance
Auld Alliance
The Auld Alliance was an alliance between the kingdoms of Scotland and France. It played a significant role in the relations between Scotland, France and England from its beginning in 1295 until the 1560 Treaty of Edinburgh. The alliance was renewed by all the French and Scottish monarchs of that...
. Albany also gave him instructions. With a colleague, Master James Ogilvy, de la Bastie represented French interest at a parliament or council at Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
, 26 November 1513, which called for French aid and the return of Albany to be Regent of Scotland. Antoine went to Christian II of Denmark
Christian II of Denmark
Christian II was King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden , during the Kalmar Union.-Background:...
with Sir Andrew Brownhill in January 1514. He was to promote the mutual benefits of the Danish king's marriage to a French noblewoman, Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne
Madeleine de la Tour d'Auvergne
Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne was a younger daughter of Jean III de La Tour , Count of Auvergne and Lauraguais, and Jeanne de Bourbon-Vendôme . She was a penultimate representative of the senior branch of the house de La Tour d'Auvergne...
, Albany's sister-in-law.
Antoine was made Deputy Governor and Warden of Scottish Marches
Lord Warden of the Marches
The Lord Warden of the Marches was an office in the governments of Scotland and England. The holders were responsible for the security of the border between the two nations, and often took part in military action....
, and was the keeper of Dunbar Castle
Dunbar Castle
Dunbar Castle is the remnants of one of the most mighty fortresses in Scotland, situated over the harbour of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian.-Early history:...
. On 25 April 1517 he was made the King's Lieutenant between the Merse and Lothian
Lothian
Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills....
. At Dunbar and at Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
, he was involved in the design and construction of artillery fortifications. He had a company of 40 spearmen. In August 1517, during an outbreak of plague in the Edinburgh, James V of Scotland
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
was moved to the care of De la Bastie at nearby rural Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is situated south-east of the city centre, on a low hill to the south of the modern suburb of Craigmillar. It was begun in the late 14th century by the Preston family, feudal barons of Craigmillar, and extended through the...
.
The Murder
In 1517, Antoine went to investigate the murder of a Frenchman who had been killed by the Clan HomeClan Home
The Homes are a Scottish family. They were a powerful force in medieval Lothian and the Borders. The chief of the name is David Douglas-Home, 15th Earl of Home.-Origins of the clan:...
in revenge for Albany's execution of Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home
Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home
Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home His mother was Nicholace Ker, a daughter of George Ker of Samuelston, his father the 2nd Lord Home. Alexander Home was found guilty of treason in 1516 and executed....
. While pursuing David Home, Laird of Wedderburn
Wedderburn Castle
Wedderburn Castle, near Duns, Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders, is an 18th century country house. It is the historic family seat of the Home of Wedderburn family, cadets of the Home family .-History:...
and George Home, he was forced to retreat to Dunbar, but his horse got stuck in a marsh (which was for many years after called 'Batty's Bog'). George Home lopped off the White Knight's head and, it was said, threaded the diplomat's hair to his saddle cloth, then rode to Duns
Duns
Duns is the county town of the historic county of Berwickshire, within the Scottish Borders.-Early history:Duns law, the original site of the town of Duns, has the remains of an Iron Age hillfort at its summit...
and set this trophy on a pole in the centre of the village. The chronicler Lindsay of Pitscottie writing in the 1570s tells the story;
"fearing ane conspiracie, he spurred his hors, and fled towardis the castle of Dunbar; thinking to have wone away, because he was weill horsed. But being ane stranger, and not knawing the ground weill, he laired his hors in ane mos, and thair his enemies cam upoun him, and slew and murthered him verrie unhonestlie, and cutted aff his head and carried with thame. And it was said that he had long hair plett in his neck quhilk David Home of Wedderburne knitt to his saidle bow and keipt it."
John Lesley
John Lesley
John Lesley was a Scottish Roman Catholic bishop and historian. His father was Gavin Lesley, rector of Kingussie, Badenoch.-Early career:...
's version, also written in the 1570s, differs only slightly. Antoine came to break Wedderburn's siege of Langton Castle
Langton Castle
Langton Castle is a now destroyed medieval fortress at Langton, near the burgh of Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland. Little remains of the structure.Originally belonging to the Viponts, the castle and its estate passed to the Cockburns in the early 14th century...
, and according to his sixteenth century translator; "Bautie, tha heidet, and in the toun of Dunce his heid affixt on a staik, that all men mycht se it, September xix."
By all accounts, the head was taken to Wedderburn Castle, and remained there for three hundred years.
This was a significant international incident, as de la Bastie was both Border Warden and French ambassador. Francis I of France
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
wrote to the Parliament of Scotland
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
on 16 November 1517 urging punishment. In response James Hamilton of Finnart
James Hamilton of Finnart
Sir James Hamilton of Finnart was a Scottish nobleman and architect, the illegitimate son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran, and Mary Boyd of Bonshaw....
carried the reply at the end of March 1528 that his father the Earl of Arran
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran and 2nd Lord Hamilton was a Scottish nobleman and first cousin of James IV of Scotland.-Biography:...
had captured the Home family strongholds, one Home had been hung drawn and quartered, and the others had escaped into England.
There is monument to Bastie at Preston, Scottish Borders
Preston, Scottish Borders
Preston is a small village in the pre-1975 ancient county of Berwickshire, now an administrative area of the Scottish Borders region of Scotland....
, erected by General James Home in early 19th-century in honour of Antoine d'Arces. It consists of a square plinth and pedestal embossed with crosses with a classical cornice, topped by a stylised urn. Antoine's body was buried nearby, it is said, close to the scene of the murder in a field at Swallowdene farm.
Sources
- Buchanan, Patricia, Margaret Tudor, Scottish Academic Press, (1985)
- Wood, Marguerite, ed., Flodden Papers, Scottish History Society, (1933), diplomatic correspondence of James IV.
- Stuart, Marie W., The Scot who was a Frenchman, John Stewart Duke of Albany, Hodge, (1940)
External Links
- Murder of Chevalier de la Bastie, Duns History Society
- Death of de la Beaute (traditional ballad), Duns History Society
- Genealogy of the d'Arces family
- Château Corbeau, Meylan-Bâtie, the de la Bastie Castle