LEARNING INTENTIONS

• Describe events at the Battle of Falkirk

• Explain why the Scots lost the battle

• Describe events after the Battle of Falkirk

After victory at Stirling Bridge, Wallace set about securing Scotland’s independence, including attacking England. King

Edward was angered by this and led a huge army north.

Falkirk was not planned by Wallace in the way that Stirling

Bridge had been.

Edward did not know where Wallace was when he marched north and he had almost given

up looking for him. However he was informed by two Scottish nobles where to find Wallace

(just north of Falkirk).

Wallace’s plan had been to wait until the English army headed

towards Edinburgh to get more supplies.

Wallace hoped to attack small groups of English soldiers,

including their rearguard. He was surprised by Edward’s

decision to attack in July 1298.

The English army at Falkirk was very different from

Stirling Bridge.

It was led by their king, Edward, a very experienced

military leader. It was also much larger – up to 2000

cavalry and also up to 12,000soldiers (many with longbows).

The Scottish army was also stronger than at Stirling

Bridge, although not as large as Wallace had hoped.

There were around 6000soldiers (organised into piked schiltrons of 2000) and also

600 knights on horseback too. They also had some longbow

archers too.

The Scots army was positioned behind a boggy marsh, which Wallace hoped would stop a frontal attack from the English.

The English cavalry attacked the Scots’ two flanks, allowing

them to avoid the boggy area. The strength of the English

attack drove the Scots cavalry from the battlefield.

Scotland’s schiltrons were now undefended and at the mercy

of English archer attacks.

After the English archers attacked, the foot soldiers did the same, with the Scots either being

killed or fleeing (heading towards the Callendar Wood).

Wallace and his commanders also fled, burning Stirling Town as did so, to try to stop it falling into English hands. They found

safety in the Tor Wood.

There were many reasons for the Scots’ defeat:

• Some claim the cavalry was to blame, although most accounts suggest they fought bravely against a bigger army

• The timing was said to be a problem; many believe the Scots should have waited Depiction of English cavalry, during the 100

Years War with France (1337-1453)

• The location also hurt the Scots. It meant the English did not attack from the front (which was the Scots’ best defence) and that the schiltrons could not move.

• The use of schiltrons was a problem because they were not mobile enough, so could not attack the English

Wallace was also blamed for defeat, with many saying his lackof military experience meant the

Scots had poor tactics.

Shortly after the battle, Wallace resigned his Guardianship of

Scotland. Two of the replacement Guardians were John Comyn

and Robert the Bruce.

In the years after Falkirk, the Scots found other ways to

oppose English rule.

In 1299, some Scots travelled to Rome to win the Pope’s support on issues such as

Edward’s treatment and also the fate of John Balliol. King John was eventually released

into the Pope’s custody.

The Scots also took part in military action against the English, including attacking

their garrisons and forts.

The Scots also won back control of much of the northof Scotland, and created fear amongst English occupiers

across the country.

Edward fought back, including attending sieges at places such

as Caerlaverock Castle, attacked using siege engines

(a trebuchet).

The Scots lost the support of the French (1303) after they agreed

a treaty with England and the Pope (1302) who blamed

Scottish bishops for the wars.

Edward’s final invasion in 1303-1304 saw him take control of castles and towns across the country, including Stirling

(attacked using the Warwolftrebuchet).

Edward offered amnesty to various Scottish leaders, allowing

them to keep their lands and promising to respect Scottish laws.

After 1297, little is known of Wallace. It is suggested he travelled to France and

Rome to try to win support for Scotland’s case.

He returned to Scotland in 1303 but was hunted by the

English. Unlike other Scottish leaders, he was not

offered amnesty.

In August 1305, Wallace was betrayed by Sir Henry Menteith. He was captured and taken to London

for trial.

Wallace was found guilty of treason and hanged, drawn and

quartered on the same day. Parts of his body were sent to

different towns and his head placed on a stick on London Bridge.