Battle of Falkirk (1298)

Question 1

What were three reasons for the outcome?

Answer 1

-William Wallace did not protect his flanks so cavalry were able to sweep infantrymen
-Edward I’s longbowmen able to shoot volleys of arrows at schiltrons, which broke their formation, making them vulnerable to cavalry charge
-Scottish outnumbered by English, 15k v 10k. Scottish had to do x1.5 damage to English in order to be victorious. English could sustain their losses.

Question 2

Role of leaders

Answer 2

-Wallace did not protect his flanks, allowing English cavalry to attack from the flanks
-Edward I decided to order volley of arrows from longbowmen, poking holes in Scottish schiltrons, weakening them