medieval-atlas/events-from-about-850-to-1460/98

Transcription

Robert I (1306-29) The battle of Bannockburn (1314) occupied the greater part of two days, from the late afternoon of Sunday 23 June until the evening of Monday 24 June. There is no serious dispute about the location of the Sunday phase. The Scottish army was drawn up in four brigades at the perimeter of the 'New Park' which lay between the Bannock Burn and St. Ninians kirk. Robert I's brigade faced the oncoming English host at the 'entry', that iS,where the high road entered the Park, while the brigades ofthe earl of Moray (close to St Ninians), WaIter the Steward (in practice led by Sir James Douglas) and the king's brother Edward were stationed by the edge of the Park between the Borestone and Stirling. There were relatively small-scale but nonetheless vitally important initial clashes on the Sunday, first of all at the 'entry', then close to St Ninians, in both of which the English were repulsed with considerable loss. It is not in doubt that the English army then proceeded, largely during the short hours of darkness, to move north on to the 'carse', the low-lying boggy ground east of the Scottish position. Disagreement persists as to whether the main battle beginning early on the Monday morning, took place out on the carse or (as is suggested here) on the 'dryfleld' above the 50 -largely about the lOO foot -contour. It is certain that the conflict was chiefly between English cavalry, too tightly deployed, and Scottish foot, whose three leading brigades (the king's being kept in reserve) had room to manoeuvre and give support to one another. Once the horse were repulsed, the dismounted knights were pushed back against the mass of the English foot, as yet unengaged, and many were drowned in the Bannock Bum and the Forth. Edward n, however, having vainly tried to gain entry to Stirling castle, managed to escape to Dunbar and thence to E"~"d. /; Upper•Taylorton Height above 1/4 sea-level in feet ~-&) Suggested site of battle o, , ~' 24 June 1314 miles t;\ Suggested resting area of English V Horse night of 23-24 June 1314 ·:::::::::::~:o Approximate boundaries of :::::::::::: 200 King's Park and New Park HH:!:!:!!! The battle of Bannockburn 23-24 June 1314 GWSB 98

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

None