Events of the Battle of Bannockburn Flashcards
What date was the Battle of Bannockburn? (3)
23rd and 24th June 1314
What were Edward I’s reign dates? (1)
1272 -1307
What is Bannockburn named after? (2)
It is named after the “Bannock burn”
A “burn” is a small stream.
What were Edward II’s reign dates? (1)
1307-1327
What was the ‘deal’ struck between the English and Scottish in June 1313? (4)
Edward Bruce (Robert’s brother) (1) said to Sir Philip Mowbray (English commander at Stirling Castle) (1) that if a relief force did not arrive before 24th June 1314 (1) then the castle would be handed over to the Scots. (1)
On what date did the English arrive near Stirling? (2)
23rd June 1314
What was the date of the ‘main’ battle? (2)
24th June 1314
What is unusual about the length of the Battle of Bannockburn? (2)
Most medieval battles lasted a few hours whereas this battle was ‘staged’ over two days.
What were the approximate numbers of the Scottish army? (2)
5,000- 10,000
What were the approximate numbers of the English army? (2)
14,000-25,000
Who were the commanders on the Scottish side? (4)
Robert Bruce
Edward Bruce
Sir James Keith (cavalry)
James Douglas
Who were the commanders on the English side? (3)
Edward II
Earl of Hereford
Earl of Gloucester
What had Robert Bruce been preparing for a year before the battle (2)
The battleground
His troops
What happened on the afternoon of the 23rd that boosted the Scottish morale? (4)
The English knight, Sir Henry de Bohun, tried to unhorse Robert Bruce with a charge
But Robert Bruce veered away from him and brought de Bohun crashing down with a blow from his axe.
If Bruce had been killed that would have been the end of Scottish hopes
But the incident had the opposite effect in giving the first day to the Scots and leaving the English vanguard vulnerable.
What was the ‘carse’? (2)
The marshy area near the Bannockburn (1) which the English were forced to camp on during the night of the 23rd to 24th. (1)
What were the first movements of the battle? (3)
Edward lost control of his men as his commanders argued over strategy.
A disorganised cavalry charge then followed
This did nothing to the Scottish schiltrons which held their ground.
How did the Scots neutralise the heavy cavalry threat? (1)
By using schiltrons (hedgehogs of pike men)
How were the Welsh longbowmen used? (3)
The longbow men were not used effectively. (1)
Edward moved them to the right flank too late in the battle (1) by which time they were exposed and ridden down by the Scottish cavalry. (1)
What problem did the English face in front of the schiltrons? (4)
The dead and wounded men and horses (1) caused an obstacle for other English divisions (1)
It was difficult to do fresh cavalry charges (1)
The dead and wounded created a barrier for the Scottish (1)
What was the name of the nobleman who defected to the Scottish side on the night of 23rd June? (1)
Sir Alexander Seton
How did Robert Bruce press home his advantage? (2)
He ordered the schiltrons to move forward (1) and start pushing the English infantry back towards the Bannockburn. (1)
What happened in the late stages of the battle? (5)
The English spotted a large number of people moving to join the Scottish line
These were mostly camp followers, the young, the sick and the women
Believing these to be reinforcements, many of Edward’s army fled
They were cut down by chasing Scots
Edward narrowly escaped.
What were the approximate Scottish casualties? (1)
400-4,000
What were the approximate English casualties (2)
700 cavalry
11,000 infantry
What were the three main reasons for the English defeat? (3)
Poor leadership
Poor strategy
Lack of organisation
How did one eye witness describe the sight of the crush of retreating English at the Bannock burn? (2)
‘’Bodies lay so thick a man could cross the burn dry-shod’’.
In other words there were so many dead that you would not get your feet wet crossing the stream.
What happened to Edward II after the battle? (2)
He managed to get to Stirling castle but was refused entry
He carried onto Dunbar Castle where a ship carried him back to England.
He was now at the mercy of his barons
What were the main results of the battle for the Scottish? (2)
Robert the Bruce cemented his place on the Scottish throne
Scotland gained its independence.
Which treaty led to England recognising full Scottish independence? (2)
The Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton signed in 1328
What year did Robert the Bruce die? (1)
1329
Why did Robert Bruce win the Battle?
English arrogance - they underestimated the strength and organisation of the Scottish army
Sir Alexander Seton - Betraying the English due to being disgusted by the lack of the English
Defensive Position - Made the schiltrons push the English back so they could not flank him & took high ground
Conditions of field - Bruce chose the battleground as he knew the English would arrive with heavy armour and the battlefield was not suited for that
Tactics during battle - made two key choices during the battle
Preparation (1 year) - Using schiltrons and digging holes
Why did Edward lose the Battle?
Inability to control his nobles - Two nobles didn’t participate in the battle and the first movement of the battle
Arrogance - Having more numbers
Tactical error - Where to sleep - marshy and uncomfortable
Tactical error - Henry de Bohun
Arrogance - They underestimated the strength and organisation of the Scottish army
Tactical error - Edward used his longbowmen too late and using them would have given hm a huge advantage.
