Leith restages its biggest ever drama 450 years on

IT WAS a year-long struggle which marked the beginning of the end of the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France, triggered the fall of the Catholic Church in Scotland and eventually led to the Union with England.

Now the Siege of Leith, which saw an unlikely alliance forged between English and Scottish troops against thousands of French soldiers who had set up a huge encampment in the port, is to be brought to the stage.

The 450th anniversary of the siege – triggered by a revolt by the people of Edinburgh against a 12-year French occupation – will be marked with a major production at this year's Leith Festival in June.

Mary of Guise, the widow of James V of Scotland and mother of Mary Queen of Scots, was responsible for bringing French troops to Leith in 1548 when she asked them to protect her as Queen Regent.

An estimated 3,000 French troops remained for the next 12 years and expanded to other parts of the city, notably Little France.

But by this time the people of Edinburgh had had enough and, led by the Protestant Lords of the Congregation, a force of 12,000 set out to clear the French from the walled fortification they had built – but to no avail. They turned to Queen Elizabeth of England, who sent a fleet and troops to reinforce the siege, which went on for more than a year.

It only ended in June 1560 with the death of the Queen Regent at Edinburgh Castle, which led to the Treaty of Edinburgh, under which the French agreed to destroy their fortifications and go home.

Although recognised by many historians as a pivotal period in the run-up to the Reformation, the Siege of Leith is still relatively unknown, despite archaeologists regularly digging up sites once occupied by the French.

This summer's production is being staged at the festival by the Edinburgh-based Citadel Arts Group.

Five professional actors will make up the core cast, while dozens of volunteers will be recruited for the many battle scenes. As well as drama, the show will feature music and comedy.

Liz Hare, the show's director, said: "It's still a pretty obscure period in Scottish history, but the Siege of Leith was so important as it really led to the end of the Auld Alliance with France, and was a landmark in terms of Scotland's relationship with England, which eventually led to the Union.

"We have a team of writers working on the production and are also working with local historians who have been advising us and taking us around the many local sites, like Pilrig Park and Leith Links, which are associated with the siege."

Leith Local History Society chairman Jim Tweedie said: "The siege was really the first time Scotland had joined forces with England properly, but it was also key to the Scottish Reformation, and the end of the Catholic Church ruling the country.

"The siege story is not well known at all, even in Leith, and it's great that a play is to be staged to mark its 450th anniversary."