Bannockburn Day 2 – 24 June 1314 Early hours Scots approached English in Schiltron formations led by Edward Bruce (leading division), Thomas Randolph Sir James Douglas King’s division remained with Scots cavalry in reserve on slopes of the hill Robert Bruce

‘Ha! They kneel for mercy’ When Scots came to within some hundred yards of English they knelt down to pray Edward II wrongly cried Earl of Gloucester (commanded the van leading the main body of English army) ordered the charge ‘Ha! They kneel for mercy’

Edward Bruce’s men formed a schiltron Gloucester’s men could not break the schiltron and he was killed along with many of his men cut down by the spears English vanguard fled in confusion

Engaging whole of English front English couldn’t manoeuvre Douglas and Randolph then launched an attack on remaining 9 English divisions Engaging whole of English front English couldn’t manoeuvre Narrow frontage River obstacles – ditches & pools in ground Scots spearmen kept their ranks and pressed slowly forward

Edward II then decided to use his archers Difficult to make way through crush of English army From the rear the arrows were hitting their own troops in the back Eventually found place to fire into side of Scots schiltrons of Douglas and Randolph

Bruce sent Sir Robert Keith with 500 knights to attack archers Keith attacked with success driving them from the field Archers played no further part in the battle

Bruce next brought in his own strong reserve division

Bruce next brought in his own strong reserve division Scots schiltrons continued to push back English lines to Bannockburn Area so crowed that many could not reach the fighting and were crushed or drowned

Edward II sensing he had lost fled the battlefield Led by bodyguard 500 knights he headed for Stirling Castle English saw royal standard leaving the field many began to flee ‘Small folk’ abandoned their reserve position and came running down to join the battle English thought it was a second army Robert Bruce

English panicked and fled in every direction Many drowned in river Many were crushed Many captured

Edward II reached Stirling Castle Sir Philip Mowbray refused King entry to castle as this would certainly lead to his capture Bruce sent Douglas with 60 knights in pursuit of Edward II Edward II escaped to Dunbar and secured rowing boat to take him to Berwick

Bruce seized the English baggage train (20 miles long) Worth £200,000 (£50m today) Bruce spread the wealth amongst the kingdom Scotland became rich over night Bruce exchanged prisoners for his wife and 11 other family friends (including Bishop Wishart)

Significance of Bruce’s Victory Bruce proved himself at Bannockburn to be…. Skilled general Superb leader Resourceful Courageous Ambitious Broke power of Scots nobles who opposed him Greatest victory won by Scots