The Scots Brigade: Scottish Soldiers in the Dutch Service

In this episode of The Story of Scotland, Lucas and Luna explore an often-overlooked chapter of Scottish military history: the Scots Brigade, a regiment of Scottish soldiers who served the Dutch Republic for over two centuries. From the late 16th century to the eve of the French Revolution, thousands of Scots fought in the Dutch wars of independence, earning a fearsome reputation for discipline and bravery. Lucas walks us through the Brigade's origins under William the Silent, its role in key battles like the Siege of Bergen op Zoom, and the unique cultural blend these soldiers created—bringing Presbyterianism to the Netherlands, influencing Dutch military tactics, and maintaining ties to home through letters and recruitment. The episode also touches on the Brigade's final years, when it was disbanded in 1782 after Scottish loyalties became suspect during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War. Filled with names like Sir John Hepburn, the Battle of the Dunes, and the 'Dutch Scots' who shaped both nations, this conversation reveals a fascinating transnational thread in Scotland's story. #ScotsBrigade #DutchRepublic #ScottishHistory #MilitaryHistory #WilliamTheSilent #EightyYearsWar #Mercenaries #BergenOpZoom #SirJohnHepburn #BattleOfTheDunes #Presbyterianism #Netherlands #ScottishDiaspora #EarlyModernEurope #AngloDutchWars #StuartExiles #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo