Scottish Wars of Independence - the battle of stirling bridge

1. Scottish Wars of Independence
The Battle
of Stirling
Bridge

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Describe events at the Battle of
Stirling Bridge
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

3. The Battle of Stirling Bridge proved to be an iconic
battle victory for the Scots, and one that strengthened
Wallace’s reputation as a military leader.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

4. William Wallace and
Andrew de Moray had led
rebellions across Scotland
against English rule.
After combining their
forces they aimed to take
control of Stirling Castle.
However an English army
had been sent north to
stop them.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

5. By 11 September 1297 the
English army had marched
north to Stirling and was
camped near to Stirling
Castle.
The Scottish army were
also based nearby, hidden
in the forests at Abbey
Craig, overlooking the
River Forth.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

6. There is a debate about the
English army’s size but
c.10,000 is most likely.
The English army was
smaller than at Dunbar and
missing many of its
experienced military
commanders. It was led by
Hugh de Cressingham and
John de Warrene.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

7. Scotland’s army was
smaller than England’s but
there is a debate about its
size: between 3000-8000 is
the best estimate.
The army, led by Wallace
and Murray, included
trained soldiers,
volunteers and farmers
who rented land.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

8. The Scots army had various
tactics, including a small
number of archers.
Most men fought with
pikes (sharp implements
attached to long poles) and
were organised into
schiltrons (groups of men
fighting in close formations
using their pikes).
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

9. The battle took place
between Stirling Castle and
Abbey Craig.
The Scots were on the
north side of the River
Forth; the only way to
cross was a small wooden
bridge. de Cressingham
rejected the idea of
crossing further upstream.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

10. Two Scottish nobles on the
English side left the night
before to try to negotiate a
peace deal.
The next day the English
army started crossing the
bridge. However, de
Warrene was still in bed
due to illness and called
them back.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

11. When de Warrene was
ready he ordered the army
to once more cross the
bridge, but called them
back when the two Scottish
nobles returned.
They had failed to reach a
peace agreement so the
army had to again cross
over the bridge.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

12. The Scots’ high position on
Abbey Craig allowed them
to see the likely English
tactics and formations.
Again some English
commanders asked about
crossing elsewhere. Once
more, de Cressingham
refused, to save time and
money.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

13. At 11am the English army
began crossing the river.
Wallace organised the
Scots army to attack.
Around one third of the
English army was across at
this point. Almost all the
English soldiers that had
crossed were killed or
drowned in the river.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

14. English soldiers on the
south of the river could not
cross to help; they
eventually retreated south
with de Warrene.
Hugh de Cressingham was
captured by the Scots.
Some say he was flayed
alive, with his skin used to
make leather souvenirs.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge

15. A few weeks after the
battle, control of Stirling
Castle was handed over to
the Scots.
Wallace and Murray were
appointed Guardians of
Scotland, although Murray
died a short time later
from wounds sustained
during the battle.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge