The Siege of Leith

[Hibee]

As part of this year's Leith Festival, there is to be a walking tour of the sites relating to the Siege of Leith.

This little known event in Scots history concerns the 3,000 French troops who occupied Leith, at the behest of Mary of Guise, in 1559-60.

They withstood, for about eight months, the efforts of a combined Scots/English force* of 12,000 to dislodge them, before being shipped back to France.

The tour is at 5.30pm on 17 June. Details on the Leith Festival website.

Hibee

* This was the first instance of Scots/English military co-operation since the time of the Magna Carta, and could be said to lay the foundation for the eventual union of the two Kingdoms.

[Currie]

Thanks Hibee,

That’s an interesting story.

Unfortunately I didn’t make it to Leith, and I missed not only the walk, but the play as well.

But all is not lost as there is a short video on YouTube about the making of the play about the Siege of Leith. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LwdJQ6qcF8

There are other Leith Festival videos there as well.

All the best,
Alan

[Hibee]

Thanks Alan

I wasn't able to make it along to the show, after the walking tour, but now I know what I missed.

Regards
Hibee