We will be exploring the…. BATTLE OF FALKIRK, 22nd JULY 1298

WHY DID THE BATTLE TAKE PLACE? Copy this slide WHY DID THE BATTLE TAKE PLACE? Edward was annoyed that the Scots had rebelled against his Overlordship. Edward was furious that the Scots had defeated the English in battle (Stirling). Edward was annoyed that the Scots had declared Wallace (who he saw as a terrorist) as Guardian.

Copy this slide WHAT DID EDWARD DO? Edward moved his headquarters to York so he was closer to Scotland. He organised an army of 2000 knights and 12,000 infantry to attack Scotland As he advanced into Scotland, the Scots burned the countryside in front of the English troops to prevent them from getting any food or shelter. Didn’t stop the English – the two armies faced each other on the 22nd July 1299.

The positioning of the armies 3500 men in schiltrons (men hold 12 feet spears in a circle to ressemble a porcupine Rough woodland behind the Scots KNIGHTS S S S S B B B 1000 cavalry LOCH Barrier of wooden stakes 500 bowmen MARSH 2000 knights 12,000 infantry Heavily armed Heavily armoured Professional and trained EDWARD’S ARMY

The English knights divided 1 KNIGHTS The English knights divided in half and went round either side of the loch. S S S S B B B LOCH MARSH EDWARD’S ARMY

2 KNIGHTS S S S S B B B EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY English knights attacked Scottish schiltrons and bowmen from behind LOCH MARSH

3 EDWARD’S ARMY KNIGHTS EDWARD’S ARMY S S S S B B B The Scottish knights saw what was happening and fled LOCH MARSH

Without protection the 4 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY Without protection the Scottish bowmen were easily cut down x x x S S S S B B B LOCH MARSH

5 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY S S S S English knights charged the schiltrons, but could not break through LOCH MARSH

6 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY Edward attacked Scots with bowmen. Killed many Scots. S S S S LOCH MARSH

7 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY S S S S English knights came back and attacked the schiltrons – this time they broke through. Most Scots were killed. LOCH MARSH

8 Edward won!

ENGLISH DISADVANTAGES Positioned on top of a hill More determined – fighting to free their country More experience than they had at Stirling Had won at Stirling – gave them confidence More men – 2000 knights, 12,000 infantry More experience and had better training English HQ moved to York (nearer to Scotland) Edward was there to lead his troops Better equipped Longbow men – experienced in battle Scots position was too defensive (would be difficult to attack the English). They didn’t use guerrilla tactics. Scots army was small Scots only had 500 horsemen English slept in armour night before battle = tired Edward broke a rib the night before the battle Welsh troops almost mutinied (got drunk) Scorched earth policy – Scots destroyed the land (English couldn’t live off land, so lacked supplies) English would have to fight on marshy ground SCOTS ADVANTAGES ENGLISH ADVANTAGES SCOTS DISADVANTAGES ENGLISH DISADVANTAGES