The Battle of Stirling Bridge

Question 1

Who died in 1286 that caused Scotland dynastic problems? (Problems to do with the succession) (1)

Answer 1

Alexander III

Question 2

Who was Alexander III’s successor, what happened to her and when? (4)

Answer 2

Margaret the Maid of Norway (1), 4 years old (1), died of pneumonia (1) in 1290 (1) leaving no heir.

Question 3

When was the Battle of Dunbar & who won & lost? (3)

Answer 3

27 April 1296 (1) Edward I (1) defeated John Balliol (1)

Question 4

Who led the Scots forces at the Battle of Stirling Bridge? (2)

Answer 4

William Wallace & Sir Andrew de Moray

Question 5

Why was Stirling Castle important? (2)

Answer 5

It was of huge militarily importance (1) as it was seen as holding the position between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. (1)

Question 6

Who led the English forces at Stirling? (3)

Answer 6

John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey & the Hugh de Cressingham

Question 7

Was Edward I present at the battle? (1)

Answer 7

No

Question 8

What river did the bridge cross? (1)

Answer 8

The River Forth.

Question 9

Where did the Scottish army assemble? (2)

Answer 9

The slopes of Abbey Craig

Question 10

How many did the English have at the battle? (1)

Answer 10

7,000

Question 11

How many cavalry did the English have at the battle? (1)

Answer 11

300

Question 12

How many did the Scots have at the battle? (1)

Answer 12

6,000

Question 13

How did the Scots form their battle lines? (2)

Answer 13

In schiltrons (1), which are divisions of pike men set up like hedgehogs! (1)

Question 14

What was the aim of the Scots? (2)

Answer 14

To engage and destroy a sizeable portion of the English force (1) and retake Stirling Castle. (1)

Question 15

What was the Earl of Surrey advised in doing at the start of the battle? (2)

Answer 15

To take a detachment of cavalry and cross the river further upstream (1) by using a ford and thereby not needing to use the bridge. (1)

Question 16

What was the English battle tactic? (2)

Answer 16

To cross the bridge (1) and engage the Scots on the other side of the river. (1)

Question 17

Why was the bridge a problem for the English? (2)

Answer 17

It was narrow (1); it could only fit two mounted men-at-arms (side by side) at a time. (1)

Question 18

How did the Scots react to the English move across the bridge? (3)

Answer 18

Once a significant portion of the English had crossed the bridge (1) - current opinion suggests around 2,000 men (1) - the Scots advanced in a schiltron formation (1)

Question 19

Why were the schiltrons so effective at this battle? (3)

Answer 19

• Although vulnerable to archers, the schiltrons were extremely effective against cavalry. (1)
• There were insufficient numbers of archers at this battle so the Scots were able to stand their ground (1)
• The English could not break out of the meander (bend in the river) that the Scots found themselves in. (1)

Question 20

What problem did the English find themselves in once they had crossed the bridge? (3)

Answer 20

With insufficient archers to break the schiltron (1), and insufficient space to build up sufficient momentum for a high-speed charge (1), the English cavalry was rebuffed. (1)

Question 21

How did the Scots finally get control of the battlefield? (3)

Answer 21

• The Scots pushed the English back towards the bridge. (1)
• Unable to regroup the English attempted to get back across the bridge but were restricted both by its narrow width and by more soldiers trying to cross. (1)
• Defeat turned into rout as the trapped English, outnumbered 3 to 1, were slain in large numbers. (2)

Question 22

What were the results of the battle? (3)

Answer 22

• Wallace became guardian of Scotland.
• English forces in Scotland were forced to surrender.
• Edward I was furious and planned an invasion of his own

Question 23

When did Edward I take back control of Scotland? (2)

Answer 23

1298 (1), after the Battle of Falkirk (1).