Issue 3 - William Wallace and Scottish Resistance Flashcards
Andrew Moray in the North-East of Scotland
Andrew Moray led a rising in the north-east of Scotland. His family lands had been captured by the English so he led a rebellion to take back control.
Spring/Summer 1297: Moray flew his family flag at Avoch; on the Black Isle and led a guerrilla campaign, capturing Urquhart, Inverness, Elgin, Duffus, Banff and Aberdeen castles.
By August 1297, Moray had succeeded in driving out the English Garrison’s north of Dundee.
William Wallace in the South-west of Scotland
Wallace led a resistance movement amongst commoners in the south west of Scotland.
In May 1297 William Wallace rebelled and killed sheriff Heselrig at Lanark.
August 1297 - Wallace, accompanied by Sir William Douglas, led an attack on Scone and attempted to kill the English Sheriff William Ormesby.
September 1297 - William led attacks on castles and an assault on Dundee
Both Moray and Wallace’s armies then marched on to Perth and then on to Stirling to meet the English forces.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge September 11th 1297
The Scots were positioned on Abbey Craig. The English would have to cross the River Forth to reach them. de Cressingham rejected the idea of crossing further up the river and insisted on using Stirling Bridge.
Two Scottish nobles on the English side left the night before to negotiate peace with the Scots.
The next day the English army started crossing the bridge but were called back by de Warrene, who was still in bed due to illness.
When he was ready, he ordered the English to cross the bridge again but called them back a second time when the two Scottish nobles returned. They had failed to reach a peace agreement so the army again had to cross the bridge.
The Scots’ position allowed them to see the English’s tactics and information. At 11am, the English army began to cross the bridge for the third time. Wallace organised the Scots to attack.
Around 1/3rd of the English army was across the bridge when the Scots charged at them. Almost all the English army that had crossed were killed or drowned in the river. The English on the South of the river couldn’t cross to help their comrades, and eventually retreated south with the Earl of Surrey.
Hugh de Cressingham was captured by the Scots. Some accounts claim he was flayed alive, with his skin being made to make leather souvenirs. A few weeks later, Stirling Castle was given to the Scots.
Aftermath of Stirling Bridge and the Impact on Scotland
Scottish Nobility appointed Wallace and Moray as ‘Guardians of Scotland’ which allowed Wallace to make official decisions and communicate with others on the King’s behalf. He became commanders of the army and had an influence over how Scotland would defend itself.
A few weeks after the Battle (November 1297), Moray died from wounds he suffered during the battle.
As Guardian, Wallace continued to rule Scotland in the name of King John (who was still in the Tower of London.) Wallace invaded northern England, besieging castles and towns. He used brutal tactics against garrisons and communities.
In October 1297, a letter was sent to the merchants of Lubeck and Hamburg stating that Scotland had ‘recovered from the power of the English’ and inviting them to resume trade.
It’s unclear if Scottish nobility liked Wallace or not.
Why The Scots Won At Stirling Bridge
Failures of the English: English Arrogance
The English leaders de Cressignham and the Earl of Surrey didn’t see Wallace or Moray as a threat and expected to crush the rebel Scots. Their arrogance meant the English army viewed the battle as little more than a ‘training exercise.’
Why The Scots Won At Stirling Bridge
Failures of the English: English Leadership
Before the fighting began, Cressignham had already sent some of his soldiers home to save paying their wages.
Cressingham slept late on the morning of the Battle
Cressingham couldn’t decide how to get his army across the river and took too much time to do this.
The Earl or Surrey decided to use Stirling Bridge to get across the river. However, the Bridge was extremely narrow and would only allow a small no. of the English to cross at once.
Why The Scots Won At Stirling Bridge
Scottish Successes: Inspiring Scottish Leadership
Wallace was a diehard supporter of Balliol. Wallace’s steadfast character helped him to inspire other Scots, gathering an army several thousands strong.
Though Wallace had more men serving under him, Moray was a more senior noble, and his presence brought the army credibility and political support. This combined leadership meant they were able to successfully rally their troops to fight despite being vastly outnumbered and having inferior weapons/armour.
Why The Scots Won At Stirling Bridge
Scottish Successes: Scottish Tactics
The Scots used schiltrons to break the English cavalry charge. The Scots also used timing to their advantage, waiting for a large number of the English army to cross the bridge before attacking. Attacking quickly meant the English were trapped.
Why The Scots Won At Stirling Bridge
Scottish Successes: Location of the Battle
Wallace and Moray’s army had one big strategic advantage - fighting on their home ground, and without the extensive supply train the invading army needed, they campaigned on their own terms, forcing the English to face them at a place of their choosing. Their experience as hit and run guerilla fighters equipped them perfectly for such campaign.
Why The Scots Won At Stirling Bridge
Scottish Successes: Using The Land
On the day of the battle, Wallace and Moray mustered their men on high ground. This allowed them a good view over the movements and actions of the English army. They were able to wait and watch for the English army crossing the bridge. They then rushed down and trapped the English in the bend of the river. This made it hard to organise themselves, to fight, and ultimately flee.
Before Falkirk
In the summer of 1298, Edward I again marched north into Scotland. To avoid a pitched battle, Wallace tried to hide his army from the English. He also destroyed crops and buildings in the south of Scotland so that the English army would have to return home when they needed supplies.
The English army was weakened by Wallace’s ‘scorched earth’ policy - they found food and shelter hard to find. As a result, Edward considered returning to England to reassess the situation. But then he received information from 2 Scottish nobles that Wallace’s army was near Falkirk.
Battle of Falkirk
Battleground
Wallace and the Scots positioned themselves in front of soft, boggy
ground that would be hard for the English to cross. Behind them was Callendar Woods. As the English approached, Wallace divided the Scottish army into four large schiltron formations. Each schiltron
was composed of foot soldiers positioned tightly together in rows and armed with long iron-tipped pikes. Archers were placed in front of the schiltrons, and a body of cavalry stood in reserve.
The English first line, under Earl Marshal, was positioned on the western side. The second line, commanded by Antony Bek positioned themselves on the east and then halted to await the arrival of the
third line under the King.
Battle of Falkirk: Stage 1
22nd July 1298
Stage 1:
Edward I ordered his cavalry to charge against the Scottish cavalry. The Scottish cavalry, who were outnumbered, fled from the Battlefield. Edward then ordered his cavalry to attack the Scottish archers that were positioned in front of the schiltrons. The Scottish archers were removed. The Schiltrons are now left vulnerable.
Battle of Falkirk: Stage 2
22nd July 1298
Edward orders his cavalry to charge against the Scottish schiltrons. Despite repeated attempts, the schiltrons cannot be broken.
Therefore, Edward decides to order his Longbow men to fire arrows at the Schiltrons. The Scots were lacking armour and left vulnerable. The weakened and disorganised Scottish ranks gave way.
The English cavalry and infantry closed in and the Scots fled to a nearby forest, many being killed.
Continued Resistance 1300-1306
Robert Bruce and Comyn as Guardians
The Scots recaptured Striling Castle in Autumn 1299.
The Guardianship passed into the hands of John ‘the Red’ Comyn and Robert the Bruce. These two noblemen were bitter rivals for the Scottish crown and could not work together. Their joint Guardianship lasted only a year. Scottish resistance to Edward must have suffered as a result of their inability to agree or even forge a working partnership.
Robert Bruce was not so keen to see King John return to Scotland. John’s return would surely see the end of Robert’s hopes of acquiring the crown. Bruce resigned his guardianship in 1300, switching sides to join Edward in 1302.
