Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Auld Alliance was first signed in October 1295 when a Scottish embassy signed a treaty in Paris. This document defined the next three centuries of European history and was a desperate gamble by Scotland to counter the aggression of Edward I of England.
King Philip IV of France and King David II of Scotland were the primary monarchs who navigated the alliance during the 14th century. Robert the Bruce and Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas also played critical roles in the survival and consolidation of power within Scotland during this period.
French and Scottish forces won against the English at the Battle of Baugé in 1421, providing France with a valuable breathing space. This victory effectively ensured the continued power of the French state during the Hundred Years War.
The Auld Alliance officially ended in 1560 when the Treaty of Edinburgh formalized the cessation of ties between Scotland and France. The Scottish Reformation of 1560 transformed Scotland into a Protestant nation that allied itself with Protestant England instead of Catholic France.
The Garde Écossaise protected the kings of France for 412 years until 1830 when Charles X of France abdicated. This unit was established in 1418 and continued to serve as the loyal bodyguard of the French crown for over four centuries.
The Auld Alliance Trophy is played for in the Six Nations Championship when Scotland and France play their rugby match. This competition keeps the memory of the alliance alive in the modern era alongside enduring cultural and diplomatic ties.