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With Robert Bruce’s victory at Loudon Hill in May 1307, the death of Edward I, the King of England in July 1307 and the crowning of the weak Edward II, Bruce gained control over all of Scotland. From 1307 to 1310 Robert Bruce ruled Scotland with little hindrance from England. This gave the Scottish king time to strengthen his kingdom and unify his followers. Those who continued to oppose him were dealt with without mercy.

In 1310, Edward II decided to invade Scotland. But this expedition was destined to fail, despite a successful excursion into Scotland led by Piers Gaveston, few of the English forces were able or willing to move from Berwick, remaining in garrison until the summer of 1311. Bruce seized upon the invasion as an excuse to raid the marches of England, attacking frequently during the next three years, carrying off large amounts of booty and forcing the inhabitants to agree to costly truces to protect their lands. During these three years he had conquered Perth and Dundee. In 1313, Edward Bruce, his brother, invaded the Isle of Man, besieging Stirling Castle, by the summer a truce had been agreed to: if an English army did not come within three miles of the castle by Midsummer’s Day 1314, Stirling would peacefully capitulate. The next move was Edward’s.

With the siege Stirling in progress and the Scottish ultimatum delivered to Edward II, he used this incident to counter his baronial opposition in England, impressing almost everyone of the necessity of participating in this military adventure. By March 1314 he resolved to gather an army and preparations began for the invasion, and by May, a large English army of about 30,000 men gathered at Berwick and began to march into Scotland. The English Army moved with much ostentation and violence through Scotland towards Stirling Castle. With it was a large logistical train, containing many wagons filled with weapons and armor, tents, furniture, wine, wax and food. By June 23, one day before the truce was to expire, Edward’s forces came within three miles of Stirling Castle. But by the time the English arrived at Bannockburn they were fatigued, due to brief halts for rest, and little rationing, thus giving the Scot the advantage. However, between him and the castle stood Bruce’s army outnumbered, but prepared to fight the English.

While the English had to travel a large distance to arrive to the battlefield, Bruce’s army was much closer. This enabled Bruce to locate a good battlefield site. The site was known as New Park, a flat field bordered by trees and marshes through which the English had to march to reach the castle. According to John Barbour, Bruce needed the flat field for his defensive formation---if the Scots fought on horseback they would be defeated. The Scottish knew that Edward would try to break his infantry line with a cavalry charges, and that a flat ground would facilitate those charges unless modifications could be made. Ditches and pits were dug not to narrow a cavalry charge, but to disrupt and disorder them, which would result in a loss of impact when the horses reached the infantry line.

With the ditches and pits dug, Bruce received word of the approaching English and set about splitting his troops into four divisions under the command of Thomas Randolph Earl of Moray, Edward Bruce, James Douglas, and Bruce himself. However their was a delay in the English advance. Although their approach had been known to the Scots since they had entered Scotland, they stopped a few miles away from the battlefield. Why this occurred has always been a mystery for the original sources do not discuss or mention the reasons for the English delay. On hearing this Bruce sent Douglas and Robert Keith to reconnoiter the enemy force.

They reported their amazement of the size and splendor of their foe, that Bruce had them lie to the troops for fear that they might flee if told the truth.

It was late in the day, June 23, perhaps too late for the English to advance on the Scottish position. But for some reason (also a mystery) Edward II blundered by sending a small group of 800 men under the leadership of Lord Robert of Clifford and Henry of Beaumont to try and relieve the castle. Perhaps he though that this small force could slip past the Scots. As the English made their way to the castle Randolph‘s 500 men rushed from the woods( for his position was bordering the woodline, and attacked them. The Scots immediately ordered themselves into a defensive formation, setting up back to back with their spear points outward as the English troops moved in to surround them. Although outnumbered the formation was strong and solid. The English quickly began to take on casualties including Sir William Dancourt, a noble leader, as the Scots speared both man and horse. This forced the English to hold back from their accustomed hand-to-hand combat and to throw spears, darts, and knives into the Scottish line; when these were gone, they began to throw maces, and swords, all in an effort to break the Scottish line.

Seeing Randolph’s troops surrounded and fatigued, James Douglas asked Robert Bruce permission to enter battle, hoping that such an action might relieve the beleaguered Scottish line. At first, Bruce refused Douglas’ request, fearing that a weakened main force might provoke the attack of Edward II, but when Douglas repeated his request, Bruce gave in.

Douglas’ movement was noticed by the English troops, and it excited them. The English vanguard under the leadership of Gilbert of Clare, the Earl of Gloucester and Humphrey of Bohun, Earl of Hereford rushed after Douglas. What the English troops encountered to their surprise, to what most chroniclers claim, was that the main Scottish body was ready to fight them. Led by Robert Bruce himself, with battle ax in hand, the remaining two division broke from their formation and attacked the surprised and somewhat trapped vanguard. Seeing Robert Bruce on the battlefield---he wore a crown on his bascinet---gave at least one English knight, Sir Henry of Bohun, the opportunity for heroism, as he rushed to strike down the Scottish leader slashing his sword around. When the two met, Bohun slashed his weapon and missed; Bruce buried his ax in Bohun’s helmet, killing his foe with a blow so powerful that the ax handle broke. This display seen by all of the troops on both sides, as reported by Barbour, caused the Scots to fight with more enthusiasm. The English began to retreat and the Scots pursued, but most of the English escaped.

While this was going on, Randolph’s force was still engaged with Clifford’s.

Douglas’ men approached to relieve Randolph, once the English saw the another Scottish unit approaching they wavered and made an opening in their encirclement of Randolph’s division. This gave Randolph the advantage, and with Douglas halting his troops so that he might not distract Randolph the honor of victory he deserved. The Scot increased their fighting intensity and broke through the English, sending them in rout. There were many casualties, but the English losses numbered many more.

The Scots rejoiced in their two small victories, although the main English body had not yet been encountered. Thomas Randolph’s troops had seen the most brutal of the fighting were justly praised for their deed, as well as Robert Bruce, who had proven his fighting capabilities. Even though he was rebuked by his nobles, who felt that he had needlessly put himself in danger; his troops increased their affection and loyalty for him.

As the Scots encamped for the night, they no longer feared the upcoming day and the fight with the main body. They had the assurance that God was on their side, and when Bruce spoke to them, warning them to be cautious against pride and asking them to be prepared for what they would encounter the next day, he also repeated the advantages that the Scots had over the English: right on their side; they would gain much from the capture of English riches; and they were fighting for their families and freedom, but they would need discipline in order to win. Bruce believed that the English would try a cavalry charges against them, this meant that the Scots had to defend themselves with their long spears. They also mustn’t break out of line to loot until the battle was over. Finally, he assured those fighting that if they were to die in battle, their heirs would have immediate possession of their property without fines, for honor required this. He concluded his speech by asking his men to remain prepared for battle throughout the night; they slept with arms and in order.

There was no joy in the English camp. The English troops became downcast and disheartened on hearing the news of Clifford, Hereford, and Gloucester’s defeats. Some soldier began to express an expected attack from the Scot during the night. English nobles tried to boost the morale of their troops by declaring that the next day, in which the main body would take part, would have a different result. But the nobles words brought little comfort, as the English Army spent a miserable, sleepless night in a marsh, the camp conditions did not help either.

During the early morning hours the Scot gained another advantage, by the defection of a Scotsman, Alexander Seton, who was serving in the English ranks.

Seton left the English when he witnessed their discouragement in losing to the Scots the previous day. He then reported this discouragement and the English plan of a ‘sudden open attack’. Seton’s news further excited the Scots.

Bruce then went to work on a plan. He ordered his troops into an infantry formation of three lines and prepared for cavalry charges. They were well armed with swords and axes and all carried lances, and each man furnished armor, not easily penetrable by a sword. Once the troops were in place he dismounted, with the other leaders, so that the danger having been equalized between the nobility and the commoners. He then unfurled his banners and set them among the troops, he also knighted Walter Stewart and James Douglas, who had displayed valor the day before. Finally he led his men in prayer.

At the same time, the English also prepared for battle. However their formation was sloppy, for John Barbour records that the English were crowd together in a large group, and only the vanguard was well ordered and anxious for combat. There were two groups infantry and archers and another of cavalry.

Before the English attacked Edward II called for a council of war, for it is recorded that he was surprised at the Scottish formation. He the asked “How will we fight the Scots?”. One English knight, Sir Ingraham Umphraville, proposed that the army retreat, to look like as if it was in flight, behind the camp causing the Scot to break formation to loot the camp then have the English who were set up behind the camp to attack the Scottish while they were looting making it an easy victory. Edward refused this plan of action, for he noticed that the Scot were kneeling in prayer and believed they were asking for mercy, so he refused to retreat. Thus he purposed an immediate cavalry charge, a tactic objected by Gloucester and Umphraville. Ignoring their protest, the king mounted his horse and joined the cavalry line.

Both sides now awaited the first attack. Who initiated the attack between the two armies on June 24 in is dispute among the original sources, but it seems that most of them agree that it was the English who attacked. It is also stated in one of the sources that an exchange of archery fire occurred, short in duration and English dominated. The English charge struck the Scottish line with great impact but with no penetration. Many fierce charges were made, that at times it seemed that the Scottish line would break. They held on and fought with all their might, that at one point during the battle the Scottish camp followers chose a captain and joined in. English and Scottish archers also engaged in the battle. But they had little effect; the Scottish only annoyed the English cavalry, while the English archer were dispersed by Robert Keith’s horsemen, one of Bruce’s leader.

As the battle raged on, the ditches and pits dug by the Scots prior to the fighting became a factor. The English cavalry initially seemed to have passed over them without difficulty. But, unable to penetrate the Scottish line, the Scot began to push the English back, that many of the horsemen were beginning to fall into the pits and ditches tumbling over one another. It was at this time, that the English suffered perhaps the biggest blow in the battle, the death of Gilbert of Clare, Earl of Gloucester. This young nobleman had led the English vanguard into battle the previous day, although he had been unsuccessful, he had retained some leadership responsibility on the second day of battle. By losing on the first day, Gloucester had to prove his valor and military capability to his older peers, so he pressed on with as much courage and strength he could muster. On seeing many of his men fall, he became angry on the account of the enemies fierceness. He urged his comrades to rush in onto the Scottish line. Wishing to make a name for himself, he presented the example to them. In the heat of angry he attacked the enemy, whoever he struck a head or a limb was cut off. His men on seeing his bravery also began to fight harder, until he was struck by a couple of lances. He was knocked to the ground and clubbed to death. Seeing the death of one of their leaders, English morale began to break and several soldiers fled. The Scots on seeing the fleeing English fought more fiercely, that soon all of the English troops took flight, leaving a handful of valiant soldiers to fight on in vain. Even the king, Edward II fled. The Scots pursued the English, resulting in many prisoners, Edward II barely escaping his own capture.

The battlefield was littered with a large number of dead or dying Englishmen, (10,000) the Scottish suffered about 4,000 casualties. The battle for the Scots signified the God was with them in their search for independence from the English and that Robert Bruce was blessed as the rightful ruler of their land. The Scottish victory was caused by the impetuous English charge which quickly became disordered and confused when it was unable to penetrate the Scottish line and that the English were hungry and fatigued for they spent a sleepless uncomfortable night encamped in the marshlands on the edge of the battlefield. What also help the Scottish victory was that they selected the battlefield site for they knew the land and the English did not, this site enabled their formation to hinder their opponent’s attack, with the help of the trees and marshes which narrowed the cavalry charge. Also the digging of pits and ditches improved their chances for victory. The thickness of the Scottish lines also proved to be a factor. This solid infantry formation was unable to penetrated and thus presented an impediment to victory that the English desired. their attacks proved to be impotent and eventually they were forced to flee from the battlefield to save their lives. Finally, the fact that the Scot were more rested, less hungry, and high morale compared to their counterparts is part of the reason for their spirited combat. For this we must recognize the leadership abilities of Robert Bruce.

The English soldiers who had not been killed or captured rushed back across the border. It would be the most significant victory in Scottish history, in which all future rebels leaders would try to imitate, but none would succeed. Without a doubt Bannockburn was a major blow to the English. That the defeat remained in the English mind for many years. The English Army learned a valuable lesson from their defeat, that the next time they encountered the Scots, they would not repeat the same mistakes.

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