Bannockburn
A small town with a big history. 1314 is a big date in Scottish history. This was the start of our challenge to visit as many battlefields [Scotland] in one day.
What a start. Probably the most famous.
The Battle of Bannockburn.
A small town with a big history. 1314 is a big date in Scottish history. This was the start of our challenge to visit as many battlefields [Scotland] in one day.
What a start. Probably the most famous.
The Battle of Bannockburn.
We arrived at the visitor`s centre around 0930. Already tourists had arrived. My wife Lorna had the pleasure of talking to a couple from Edmonton,Canada. That was where she was born.
National Trust for Scotland
http://www.battleofbannockburn.com/
National Trust for Scotland
http://www.battleofbannockburn.com/
The Battle
It all started summer 1314. King Edward11 brought to Scotland it`s largest ever army. The aim was to defend Stirling Castle which was still in English control.
The English marched through Scotland without bother. Robert the Bruce the Scottish leader
decided to fight on territory that he knew was more suitable for his smaller army. The two army's met by a stream called Bannockburn. Bruce`s army took the high ground which meant the enemy had to attack between marshland and a thick wood.
On the 24th of June Edward made the decision to attack the Scots. He did not listen to his advisers and he called them cowards.
It all started summer 1314. King Edward11 brought to Scotland it`s largest ever army. The aim was to defend Stirling Castle which was still in English control.
The English marched through Scotland without bother. Robert the Bruce the Scottish leader
decided to fight on territory that he knew was more suitable for his smaller army. The two army's met by a stream called Bannockburn. Bruce`s army took the high ground which meant the enemy had to attack between marshland and a thick wood.
On the 24th of June Edward made the decision to attack the Scots. He did not listen to his advisers and he called them cowards.
Scotland's army was outnumbered and lacked the experience.
As the English knights were assembling, Scottish spearmen attacked from the woods. Their enemy was not ready so they had to retreat.
The English archers advanced. They were charged by the Scottish knights. They also had to retreat. Edward now decided to use his knights to charge the Scottish position at the top of the hill.
The Scots spearmen put a stop to this.
English archers started firing but were hitting their own men as the two army's were fighting close up
As the English knights were assembling, Scottish spearmen attacked from the woods. Their enemy was not ready so they had to retreat.
The English archers advanced. They were charged by the Scottish knights. They also had to retreat. Edward now decided to use his knights to charge the Scottish position at the top of the hill.
The Scots spearmen put a stop to this.
English archers started firing but were hitting their own men as the two army's were fighting close up
All was lost for Edward`s army as his soldiers were in retreat. The Scots charged after them. Some escaped but the spearmen and archers were not so lucky.
The battle of Bannockbum was a bad defeat for the English. Infact the worse in their history.
Thanks for visiting the Battlefields of Scotland