Battle of Falkirk Flashcards
What position do the Scots take immediately?
The Scots take a defensive position to counter English cavalry.
Where specifically do the Scots take their position?
On a hard sloping ground between Callender Wood and marshy ground.
What did the bulk of Wallace’s army consist of?
Spearmen
How many schiltrons were Wallace’s men divided into?
4 schiltrons of around 1-2 thousand men.
What was each schiltron surrounded by?
Great wooden stakes fixed into the ground and tied together with ropes like a fence to obstruct passage of the english.
What was between each schiltron?
A few archers he had from Selkirk Forest. The archers were under the command of John Stewart, brother of James Steward.
What was behind each schiltron?
A small cavalry force of Scottish nobility, probably including the Comyn’s, James the Steward, Macduff of Fife and the Earls of Lennox, Atholl, Mentieth and Strathern.
When did Edwards army attack?
In the Early morning of 22nd of July.
Which of Edwards army led an attack on the left of the boggy marsh?
The Earls of Hereford, Lincoln and Norfolk.
Which of Edwards army led an attack on the right?
The Bishop of Durham, Anthony Bek
What did Wallace’s army now find themselves in?
A pincer movement.
What happened almost immediately?
Scots cavalry fled - could of been seen as treason but was actually very sensible.
Why did the Scottish schiltrons prove hard for the English cavalry to break down?
The spearmen attacked the horses not the mounted knights.
Who did the nights concentrate on?
the soft archers
When the English knights withdrew what happened?
Welsh long-bows and mercenary crossbowmen fired on the Scots - it was overwhelming.
