Medival Case Studies Flashcards
When was the Battle of Falkirk?
1298
Describe what happened overall in the Battle of Falkirk.
The Battle of Falkirk was fought between the Scottish and the English in 1298. The English won due to their use of longbow archers, but the Scots also effectively used the schiltron.
Describe the impact of the longbow in the Battle of Falkirk.
- Edward I’s (English) use of his longbowmen was the turning point at Falkirk and it became an essential feature of English strategy in warfare for the following 150 years.
- The English were having difficulties penetrating Scottish schiltrons, so Edward decided to use his 5000 longbows. These storm of arrows easily penetrated the men as they had no armour, many died.
- As gaps appeared in the schiltron, the English cavalry were able to charge the Scottish lines. Wallace’s troops fled and the English infantry joined the attack.
What was the impact of the schiltron formation in the Battle of Falkirk?
Wallace’s (Scottish) schiltrons were well disciplined and the English cavalry found it hard to break through their pikes.
But lack of armour made themselves vulnerable to archers and the Scottish archers were left isolated and exposed.
What were the good decisions Edward I (English) made - the Battle of Falkirk?
- Supplying his troops on campaign by sea.
- Outmanoeuvring Wallace to attack him from the flanks (sides).
- Using his archers against the Scottish schiltrons.
What were the bad decisions Edward I (English) made - the Battle of Falkirk?
- He had little control over his cavalry, but ultimately this was a fortunate thing.
What were the good decisions made by William Wallace (Scottish) - the Battle of Falkirk?
- Use of schiltrons
- Positioning his forces on a slope, with his rear protected by woods.
What were the bad decisions made by William Wallace (Scottish) - the Battle of Falkirk?
- Failing to protect his flanks.
- Deciding to fight with inferior numbers (Scots : 10k compared to English : 14k).
- Not controlling his nobles who deserted.
- Not using his remaining cavalry and archers.
When was the Battle of Agincourt?
1415
Describe the situation before the Battle of Agincourt had started.
- The battle was fought as Henry V’s (English) tired troops were intercepted on their way to Calais. They were weak from a long march across France and from the disease dysentery.
Describe how the choice of battleground benifitted the English - the Battle of Agincourt.
- Henry’s army was placed at the narrowest point of the battlefield to funnel the French into a tighter space and make it harder for the French to overwhelm the English.
- Heavy, wet clay farmland seperated the two forces : difficult for cavalry to charge across.
- The flanks were protected by woodland.
- Long sharpened stakes were set in the ground and angled towards oncoming French, to impale charging horses.
- Some English archers used the shelter of the woods to fire at the French and provoke a reckless and disorganised counterattack.
What were the good decisions Henry V (English) made at the Battle of Agincourt?
- He was brave and fought alongside his men.
- He chose an excellent defensive position.
- He made his cavalry fight on foot, forming a solid centre to support his infantry.
- He sent his archers to “gall” the French into attacking over unfavourable ground.
What were the bad decisions Henry V (English) made at the Battle of Agincourt?
- His march across France had weakened his army.
- He was trapped and forced to fight.
- Outnumbered (English : 8000 troops compared to French : 15000 troops).
Describe the role of the cavalry and archers in the Battle of Agincourt.
- English longbowmen fired into the sides, or directly onto the heads, of the French cavalry.
- The French cavalry tried to retreat but met their own advancing infantry.
- The French infantry were exhausted, having struggled through thick mud.
- English knights fought on foot, holding the centre. The archers joined from the flanks with swords and daggers.
- The English advanced, and the French were forced to retreat.
Describe how French chivalry had an effect in the Battle of Agincourt.
French knights lived by a code of chivalry that dictated how they acted in battle.
The French knights were outraged by being attacked by archers as they considered it to be unchivalrous and reacted recklessly.
