Scots 10-12,000? mostly infantry in 4 schiltrons? 500 horse? English Only 15,000 of 25,000 levied. 2-3,000 horse.
Scots 8-10,000? mostly infantry in 4 schiltrons? 500 horse? English Only 14,000 of 21,500 Levied? 2,000 horse? ½ infantry Welsh; 4,000 Irish no-show; not Enough bowmen?
David Cornell, Bannockburn (2009)
The Battle of Bannockburn – 23 June – 24th June 1314
English forces
Scots forces
Cavalry
2000 knights
500 light horsemen
Infantry
10,000 men from the northern counties
4500 pikemen in three schiltrons
2000 Welsh spearmen Unknown number of Irish spearmen Archers (including crossbowmen)
Several hundred men armed with 200 Crossbowmen from Bristol both longbows 1000 Welsh longbowmen Uncertain number of other longbowmen and short bows, mostlyeach fromwith • Traditionally the English from the army northwas split into 3 massive formations Selkirk forest equal numbers the vanguard, the midguard and the rearguard • At Bannockburn lines were blurred by the interference of Edward II & the chain of command was confused and unclear
The English Army • Edward only received about half the numbers demanded by feudal levies • Most Barons were unwilling to commit themselves to battle • Most sent the minimum numbers required and paid the “scrutage” so they didn’t have to go themselves • The Earl of Ulster did take part in the battle with a contingent of Irish spearmen. • Out of the 25 Irish chiefs summoned, it is difficult to know how many, if any actually took part in the battle • The remainder of foot troops were archers
The Scottish Army • Vanguard – Thomas Randolph (the Earl of Moray) • Midguard – Robert Bruce • Rear-guard – Edward Bruce & Sir James Douglas • Most of the knights and nobles fought on foot in the front ranks of the Schiltrons,
Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 • Robert used the wooded hill of the King’s park to shelter his men and hide their number from the English • He ordered the high ground around the Old Roman road from the south to be dug up with a series of small uneven holes
Day 1 – 23rd June 1314
Herefords nephew Henry De Bohun challenged Bruce
Day 1 – 23rd June 1314
Herefords nephew Henry De Bohun challenged Bruce
De Bohun thundered towards Bruce who sat calmly on a small horse. At the last minute Bruce had his horse sidestep out of the way and raising himself up on his stirrups, he brought his battle-axe down onto De Bohun’s head, almost splitting it in half.
De Bohun was dead before he hit the ground
Hereford’s force of 300 knights & Men-at-arms was intercepted by Scottish Pikemen
Hereford & his knights were not able to break through the Pikemen
He had no choice but to turn and flee, chased by the Scots cavalry led by Sir Robert Keith.
Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 When the English saw the Scots preparing for battle, an argument broke out between: – Sir Thomas Grey – Sir Henry Beaumont – Clifford
Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 • Clifford's knights were unable to break the strong Scottish formation, their lances were useless against the long pikes • In sheer frustration many of the knights tried throwing their lances, swords and maces at the Scots from a distance in order to try & kill them. • Eventually the English morale broke and Clifford ordered a retreat. • Many of the survivors fled back to their own lines, while others fled for the safety of Stirling Castle.
Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 English troops took the news badly • Most of the foot soldiers had marched all day only to learn that Bruce had defeated Hereford and Clifford • Morale began to suffer • Knights were angered and humiliated, they had been defeated by what they assumed to be a band of ill-bred Scots peasants
The Scottish Camp was celebrating • Bruce was still not willing to risk loosing everything in a single engagement • It was the defection of a Scottish knight, Sir Alexander Seton, from Edwards army in the middle of the knight that changed his mind. • Seaton told Bruce about the low morale and disorganisation of the English Camp
Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • During the night the English position themselves to the east of the Roman Highway • At dawn, Scottish pikemen began to move down onto the carse and form up into Schiltrons. • The knights dismounted and joined the ranks of the pikemen • Knelt as the Bishop of Arbroath blessed the army with holy relics
Day 2 – 24th June 1314 The English army was not ready • The Earl of Gloucester managed to form the cavalry into long lines in front of the rest of the army • This formation was pressed from behind by the foot soldiers • Only realistic option was for Gloucester and his knights was to charge
Day 2 – 24th June 1314 The Earl of Gloucester signalled the charge • Unable to breach the massed ranks of the Scots • Scottish captains in the front ranks kept urging their men forward, slowly pushing the horsemen back towards the Bannockburn
Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • Most of the English foot soldiers were still on the opposite side of the burn • Some archers managed to make their way out to the eastern flank and they poured a steady rate of arrows into Roberts schiltron • Robert had left Keith in reserve and his 500 light horses rode into the archers • Archers fled back into their own ranks and causing confusion
Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • The English saw a new fresh army of Scots and they fled • Thousands of English were killed as they tried to cross the burn • Edward from pulled from the affray by his bodyguards and led from the field • At first he tried to seek shelter at Stirling Castle, Sir Philip Moubray refused him entry • Edward was forced to circle the battlefield and flee towards Dunbar
Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • It was obvious that the English had lost but Edward kept fighting until the last minute • A new Scottish force appeared on the crest of Coxet Hill – Great deal of controversy about this force – Some historians say they were the “Camp followers” – Other historians say they were highlanders & because they had arrived to late to train them they would have got in the way and were kept in reserve
Battle of Bannockburn English Casualties
Scottish Casualties
1 Earl 27 Barons & Baronettes c375 Knights
c2 knights
c11,000 Infantry c700 men-at-arms When the English left the field they left Edward II's mighty train of equipment worth ÂŁ200,000 (ÂŁ89,298,000.00) to the Scots not to mention the hostages