The Battle of Bannockburn

1. The Battle of Bannockburn We are exploring the reasons for the Scots victory.

2. How did the Scots prepare for Bannockburn? • Chose a good position – on a wooded hill near the River Forth. • Trained e.g. mobile schiltrons • They dug pits that were filled with caltrops • Built an army that consisted of foot soldiers and cavalry. • 2000 ‘small folk’ in reserve.

3. Describe the events at Bannockburn… • Bruce killed De Bohun; leader of the English army. • The English sent their vanguard under Gloucester and Hereford. • Bruce’s men charged forward and the English were in disarray and fell into the pits. The English knights retreated in confusion. • Randolph formed the Scots into shiltrons. • In the early hours the Scots approached the English in shiltrons. • The English panicked and fled. Many drowned or were captured. • At the end of the battle, the Small Folk charged towards the English who then retreated because they thought it was a 2nd army. • Douglas and Randolph launched an attack on the remaining 9 divisions. • Bruce gave a speech to his men at the start.

4. Why did the Scots win at Bannockburn? • Bruce’s leadership was key – experienced in battle. He raised morale of army by talking to them before the battle. • Men were trained to fight in mobile schiltrons– English couldn’t break through. • Good battle ground which suited his men. The Scots had the best position; on a wooded hill sloping towards marshy ground near River Forth. The English had limited space and were positioned on marshy ground. • The English were tired and disheartened – their leader De Bohun was killed by Bruce. • Bruce had important Commanders & soldiers fighting for him. • Charge of the ‘small folk’ led the English to believe there was a second army. They fled and many were drowned, crushed or captured.

5. To what extent was the Scots position the main reason for the Scots victory at the Battle of Bannockburn? The position of the Scots was a main reason for the Scots victory at Bannockburn because Bruce had positioned them at the top of a wooded hill. So, this meant they could see the English position as well as momentum for charging. This forced the English into a weak position on marshy ground with limited space. However, this was not the only reason for the Scots victory at Bannockburn.