Scottish Wars of Independence - reasons scots won at stirling bridge

1. Scottish Wars of Independence
Why did the
Scots win at
Stirling Bridge?

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Explain why the Scots won the Battle
of Stirling Bridge
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

3. In September 1297, the Scottish army defeated a
much larger English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge,
helping the Scots win control of Stirling Castle.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

4. There were numerous
reasons for Scottish
victory. These include:
• Scottish tactics and
positions
• Wallace and Moray’s
leadership
• English mistakes
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

5. Before the battle the Scots
were based on Abbey
Craig. This is a hill which
overlooks the battlefield.
This was useful because
the high position allowed
them to view English
movements, giving the
Scots an idea of likely
English battle plans.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

6. The Scots’ use of schiltrons
also helped them win.
These were tight groups of
Scottish soldiers who used
pikes (long, sharp sticks).
The schiltrons were easily
able to move around the
battlefield, and this
mobility surprised the
English.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

7. The schiltrons also helped
because they were very
difficult to break.
English battle tactics often
involved using their cavalry
(soldiers on horseback) to
charge at enemies.
However the schiltrons
stopped this, making it
harder for the English.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

8. The leadership decisions
of Wallace and Moray also
helped the Scots triumph.
The leaders chose the
battlefield well. Much of
the land was boggy and
marshy, and this also made
it hard for the English
cavalry to try to charge at
the Scots.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

9. Wallace and Moray’s
timing was also important.
Charging too early would
have left most of England’s
army untouched, allowing
them to continue fighting.
But attacking too late
would mean more English
soldiers had crossed,
making it harder to win.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

10. However English mistakes
also played a role in the
Scots’ victory.
English commanders
underestimated the
Scottish army. They
brought an army that was
smaller than the one used
to attack Berwick and win
the Battle of Dunbar.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

11. The English army had poor
leadership for the battle.
Many of England’s most
experienced military
commanders were not
involved, and Cressingham
had little military
experience. Warrene was
an experienced soldier and
leader but was ill.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

12. Cressignham’s decision to
cross over the bridge,
rather than go further up
the river, hurt England’s
chances of victory.
This meant that fewer
English soldiers were
across the river when the
battle started, leading to
their defeat.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

13. The English army was also
very disorganised on the
morning of the battle.
There had been two false
starts as the army crossed
the bridge only to return.
This caused confusion in
English ranks but also gave
the Scots an idea about
English plans.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge

14. England also struggled due
to the battlefield choice. It
was marshy, making
cavalry charges difficult
and the bridge left no
escape route.
If England had refused to
fight on the specific site, it
would have victory much
more likely for them.
Why the Scots won at Stirling Bridge