f. Battle of Falkirk (1298) Flashcards
What was Edward’s primary objective after Stirling Bridge?
To defeat Wallace
This was part of the broader conflict between England and Scotland.
What characterized the English army during the conflict?
Larger army with cavalry, longbowmen, and infantry
The English army’s size and composition gave it an advantage in battles.
What was the main formation used by the Scottish army?
Schiltrons (pike formations)
Schiltrons were effective but lacked cavalry support.
How did Edward utilize longbowmen in battle?
To break the schiltrons
This tactic was crucial in overcoming the Scottish formations.
What followed the use of longbowmen in Edward’s strategy?
Cavalry was used to finish the Scots
This combination of tactics contributed to Edward’s victories.
What was the outcome for Wallace after the conflict?
He resigned as Guardian
This marked a significant shift in leadership during the Scottish resistance.
What was the status of Scottish resistance when Edward died in 1307?
Continued under Robert the Bruce
Robert the Bruce became a key figure in the fight for Scottish independence.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Falkirk for William Wallace?
William Wallace and the Scots army were defeated
How many men did the Scottish army have at the Battle of Falkirk?
6,000 men
How many men did the English army have at the Battle of Falkirk?
15,000 men
Who led the English army at the Battle of Falkirk?
King Edward I
Why did William Wallace loose this time when he had won before?
Edward changed his strategy- using longbows to attack Wallace’s schiltrons from a safe distance
What are schiltrons?
Large, tightly-packed groups of soldiers armed with long pikes
Why were the English archers at an advantage over the Scottish archers?
English archers used longbows that could attack from a distance
What type of bows did the Scottish archers use?
Much smaller bows only suitable for close combat
What did Edward I do differently at the Battle of Falkirk compared to the Battle of Stirling Bridge?
Used archers to attack schiltrons from a safe distance
Fill in the blank: The Scottish knights charged but were forced to _______.
retreat
What was the length of the longbows used by English archers?
Around six feet long
True or False: Longbows had a range greater than twice the length of a football pitch.
True
What could the arrows fired from longbows do to armor?
Pierce armor
What happened to the Scottish archers when the English knights charged?
They had to run for their lives
What major tactic did King Edward I employ against the schiltrons?
Ordered longbow fire on the schiltrons
What date did the Battle of Falkirk take place?
22 July 1298
What did Wallace’s soldiers look like when arranged in schiltrons?
Like hedgehogs
What was the primary weapon used by the Scottish soldiers in schiltrons?
Pikes and spears
What was the result of the longbow fire on the Scots schiltrons?
Killed enough men for knights to charge
