The Battle of Stirling Bridge Flashcards
What happened after Wallace and Murray joined forces?
Wallace and Murray had joined forces. They could not rely on the Scottish nobles providing them with cavalry and so they had planned to fight on foot.
They placed their army on the slopes of Abbey Craig about a mile from the narrow bridge over the Forth that made the place so important to control
The English army….
The Earl of Surrey and Hugh Cressingham, Edward I’s officials in Scotland, led a far bigger army than Wallace and Murray and in fact outnumbered the Scots 10:1. They had archers and plenty of cavalry and had reason to be confident. In fact, the English army had been undefeated for more than 200 years. They camped outside the burgh of Stirling across the river from the Scots.
The night before the Battle of Stirling Bridge
The night before the battle saw a small fight break out between the Earl of Lennox and the
Steward and some foragers from the English army. This incident was enough to convince the only
two Scottish nobles summoned by Edward I to leave the English camp.
What was the significance of the Earl of Surrey going to bed early the night before the battle?
The Earl of Surrey had
gone to bed early, tired and ill.
When the English army began crossing the bridge slowly the next morning it took them a considerable amount of time to get men and horses over the bridge and form up in an order for battle. Unfortunately, because he had still not risen from bed, the aides of
the Earl of Surrey called the army back across the bridge to await his presence.
When Surrey appeared he ordered the troops to cross the bridge for a second time, only to halt the operation again when the Earl of Lennox and the Steward reappeared. Believing that they brought news of Wallace and Murray’s surrender he called the army back to the Stirling bank.
However, the Scots nobles only came to report their failure and their inability to raise any troops to support Surrey.
What advantages did Wallace and Murray have over the English army?
Wallace and Murray were hiding in the woods and watching as the army was called back by Surrey. It was now very obvious to them how Surrey would advance using
the bridge and how his men would form up once they crossed.
How did Wallace and Murray attack?
When around 5,000 English soldiers had crossed the bridge, the Scots attacked. The English
knights could not manoeuvre and the English were driven back, killed, wounded and drowned in the river. The wooden bridge collapsed. Surrey and the rest of the army (around two-thirds)
watched the slaughter from the other side of the river, powerless to intervene.
The remainder of the English army fled. Stewart and Lennox, who had watched the battle, now attacked the English with their cavalry. In the battle and the retreat, several thousand English soldiers and one hundred English knights died.
One of them was Cressingham. The Scots hated him so much that they flayed his skin from his body, cut it into strips and used it for sword belts and other items.
What 4 key points led to the English defeat at the Battle of Stirling Bridge?
- Wallace and Murray knew the land better, they hid in the woods the night before the battle and saw the English plan to attack. They knew how they were going to cross the bridge and line up.
- Some of the English army crossed the bridge and then Wallace and Murray attacked.
- by trapping the English soldiers against the bend of the river the rest of the English army couldn’t get over the bridge to help.
- The knights could not manoeuvre and the English were driven back, killed, wounded and drowned in
the river. The wooden bridge collapsed.
What happened the night before in the English Camp?
Surrey went to bed early.
Why did the Earl of Surrey go to bed early?
He was feeling tired and ill
Why did the English army have to be called back across Stirling Bridge?
It took them a long time to get their horses across the bridge and line up, however they were called back to await Surrey being there. He slept late as he wasn’t feeling well.
What advantage did Murray and Wallace have?
They were hiding in the woods watching the English crossing the bridge and lining up so they knew the English’s plan.
How many English soldiers crossed the bridge before the Scots attacked?
Around 5000
Explain why the English couldn’t escape
The bridge was so small and narrow the English couldn’t manoeuvre and were trapped. They were stuck on the bend of the river and couldn’t retreat. This allowed Wallace’s army to attack.
What happened to Hugh Cressingham?
They flayed his skin and used it for swords and belts.
