History of Scotland, the
Battle of Bannockburn. Historical military art print of Robert the
Bruce at the battle of Bannockburn, a Scottish victory over Edward II
Plantagenate.
Battle of Bannockburn by Mark Churms.
With the full might of England's army gathered before the besieged Stirling
Castle, Edward II Plantagenate is confident of victory. To the west of
Bannockburn, Robert Bruce, King of Scots, kneels to pray with his men
and commends his soul to God. Patiently awaiting the coming onslaught
in tightly packed schiltroms, his spearmen and archers are well prepared
for battle. Unknown to the English, the open marsh of no man's land conceals
hidden pits and calthrops, major obstacles for any mounted charge. Despite
Clifford's and Beaumont's premature and unsuccessful attempt to relieve
Stirling the day before, years of victory have caused the brave English
knights to regard their Scottish foes with contempt. So, without waiting
for the 'flower of the forest' (archers) to weaken the enemy formations,
the order is hurriedly given to attack! With one rush, hundreds of mounted
knights led by the impetuous Earl of Gloucester, thunder headlong through
the boggy ground straight for the impenetrable mass of spears, hurling
themselves into defeat and death. With dash and courage the knights try
to force a way through but the infantry stand firm. There is no room to
manoeuvre. Everywhere horses and men crash to the ground. Casualties amongst
the English nobility are horrific. Bruce seizes the moment and orders
the exultant army to advance. The English recoil and are pushed back into
the waters of the Bannockburn where many perish in the crush to escape
the deadly melee. Edward II, his army destroyed, flees with his bodyguard
for the safety of the castle but is refused refuge and has to fight his
way south to England. For Robert Bruce and Scotland, victory is complete.
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