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The Battle of Bannockburn – 23 June – 24 th June 1314

The Battle of Bannockburn – 23 June – 24 th June 1314. Traditionally the English army was split into 3 massive formations each with equal numbers the vanguard, the midguard and the rearguard

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The Battle of Bannockburn – 23 June – 24 th June 1314

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  1. The Battle of Bannockburn – 23 June – 24th June 1314 • Traditionally the English army was split into 3 massive formations each with equal numbers the vanguard, the midguard and the rearguard • At Bannockburn lines were blurred by the interference of Edward 2nd & the chain of command was confused and unclear

  2. The English Army • Edward only received about half the numbers demanded by feudal levies • Most Barons were unwilling to commit themselves to battle • Most sent the minimum numbers required and paid the “scrutage” so they didn’t have to go themselves • Barbour mentions troops from Aquitaine & Potiou along with German knights & Irish levies • The Earl of Ulster did take part in the battle with a contingent of Irish spearmen. • Out of the 25 Irish chiefs summoned, it is difficult to know how many, if any actually took part in the battle • the remainder of foot troops were archers

  3. The Scottish Army • Bruce’s army was a professional force funded on a full time basis • The majority of Scots fought on foot, wearing mismatched and scavenged armour and wielding the Scottish Pike • Pikemen were drafted from the local population • Pike was about 9-10ft long and had a sharp blade on the top • Farming tools were commonly used when pike blades were in short supply • A few hundred horsemen were available led by Sir Robert Keith and it their job to protect the highly vulnerable flanks of the Schiltrons

  4. The Scottish Army • Vanguard – Thomas Randolph (the Earl of Moray) • Midguard – Robert Bruce • Rear-guard – Edward Bruce • Most of the knights and nobles fought on foot in the front ranks of the Schiltrons, • Possible Division 4 - led by Sir James Douglas, however the social position of the Douglas family at the time would not have allowed him to command such a large body of men • It was more likely that he led a smaller contingent of loyal men under the command of Edward Bruce within his division

  5. Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 • Robert used the wooded hill of the king’s park to shelter his men and hide their number from the English • He ordered the high ground around the old roman road from the south to be dug up with a series of small uneven holes • It has been suggested that this was a trap or deterrent against Edwards cavalry – this is a little obvious • By making the holes obvious it encouraged Edward to look for a different approach, one that Robert would prefer.

  6. Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 Herefords nephew Henry De Bohunchallenged Bruce De Bohun thundered towards Bruce who sat calmly on a small horse. At the last minute Bruce had his horse sidestep out of the way and raising himself up on his stirrups, he brought his battle-axe down onto De Bohun’s head, almost splitting it in half. De Bohun was dead before he hit the ground

  7. Hereford’sforce 300 knights & Men-at-arms was intercepted by Scottish Pikemen He had no choice but to turn and flee, chased by the Scots cavalry led by Sir Robert Keith. Hereford & his knights were not able to break through the Pikemen

  8. Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 When the English saw the Scots preparing for battle, an argument broke out among their ranks • Sir Thomas Grey: wanted to charge the Scots quickly before they could form up in their battle line. • Sir Henry Beaumont: urged patience • He wanted more Scots to come from the woods, thereby making the victory more satisfying • Sir Thomas immediately set off against the Scottish Pikemen. • Clifford and the rest of him men followed, charging without much thought of tactics

  9. Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 • Clifford's Knights were unable to break the strong Scottish formation, their lances were useless against he long pikes • In sheer frustration many of the knights tried throwing their lances, swords and maces at the Scots from a distance in order to try & kill them. They failed • Eventually the English morale broke and Clifford ordered a retreat. • Many of the survivors fled back to their own lines, while others fled for the safety of Stirling Castle.

  10. Day 1 – 23rd June 1314 English troops took the news badly • Most of the foot soldiers had marched all day only to learn that Bruce had defeated Hereford and Clifford • Morale began to suffer • Knights were angered and humiliated, they had been defeated by what they assumed to be a band of ill-bred Scots peasants The Scottish Camp was celebrating • Bruce was still not willing to risk loosing everything in a single engagement • It was the defection of a Scottish knight, Sir Alexander Seton, from Edwards army in the middle of the knight that changed his mind. • Seaton told Bruce about the low morale and disorganisation of the English Camp

  11. Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • During the night the English position themselves to the east of the Roman Highway • At dawn, Scottish Pikemen began to move down onto the carse and form up into Schiltrons. • The knights dismounted and joined the ranks of the pikemen • Knelt as the Bishop of Arbroath blessed the army with holy relics

  12. Day 2 – 24th June 1314 The English army was not so ready • The Earl of Gloucester managed to form the cavalry into long lines in front of the rest of the army • This formation was pressed from behind by the foot soldiers • Only realistic option was for Gloucester and his knights was to charge

  13. Day 2 – 24th June 1314 The Earl of Gloucester signalled the charge • Unable to breach the massed ranks of the Scots • Scottish captains in the front ranks kept urging their men forward, slowly pushing the horsemen back towards the Bannockburn

  14. Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • Most of the English foot soldiers were still on the opposite side of the burn • Some archers managed to make their way out to the eastern flank and they poured a steady rate of arrows into Roberts schiltron • Robert had left Keith in reserve and his 500 light horses rode into the archers • Archers fled back into their own ranks and causing confusion

  15. Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • It was obvious that the English had lost but Edward kept fighting until the last minute • A new Scottish force appeared on the crest of Coxet Hill • Great deal of controversy about this force • Some historians say they were the “Camp followers” • Other historians say they were highlanders & because they had arrived to late to train them they would have got in the way and were kept in reserve

  16. Day 2 – 24th June 1314 • The English saw a new fresh army of scots and they fled • Thousands of English were killed as they tried to cross the burn • Edward from pulled from the affray by his bodyguards and led from the field • At first he tried to seek shelter at Stirling Castle, Sir Philip Moubray refused him entry • Edward was forced to circle the battlefield and flee towards Dunbar

  17. Battle of Bannockburn When the English left the field they left Edward II's mighty train of equipment worth £200,000 (£89,298,000.00) To the scots not to mention the hostages

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