We will be exploring the events of: THE BATTLE OF STIRLING BRIDGE 11 TH SEPTEMBER, 1297

MEDIEVAL MAP OF SCOTLAND THIS MAP SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE THAT PEOPLE PLACED ON STIRLING DURING THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD… STIRLING BRIDGE WAS SEEN AS THE PLACE WHERE THE HIGHLANDS AND THE LOWLANDS MET… IT WAS THE GATEWAY TO THE NORTH

“HE WHO HOLDS STIRLING HOLDS SCOTLAND!!!” WILLIAM WALLACE ANDREW MORAY

HMMMM, HE WHO HOLDS STIRLING WOULD INDEED HOLD SCOTLAND….! EDWARD I, KING OF ENGLAND FOR THIS REASON, ON 11 TH SEPTEMBER 1297, THE ARMY OF EDWARD I AND THE ARMY OF WILLIAM WALLACE MET AT THE BATTLE OF STIRLING BRIDGE… N.B. Edward was not at the battle – he was in France!

WILLIAM WALLACE You will be completing gathering the developments to EASY WIN. Take down at least 2 developments per point. ACTIVITY 1

English were over-confident Abbey Craig Stirling Bridge Yell of attack from Wallace Wooden Bridge Collapses Increasing numbers of English killed Not many Scottish casualties = Scottish victory EDWARD I, KING OF ENGLAND Why did Wallace win??? E-A-S-Y W-I-N Why did Wallace win??? E-A-S-Y W-I-N ACTIVITY 1

The English were over confident. Over English troops including cavalry and archers faced 5000 Scottish troops, mostly on foot. Military historians argue that the English simply thought they were going to win so had no real game plan! They were surprised that the Scots would not surrender. English were over confident

Wallace had organised his men onto a rocky hill called Abbey Craig which guarded a ford where the English could have crossed the river. With the Scots stationed here the English had to think of another way of getting across the river. Their choice led to their eventual defeat at Stirling Bridge. Abbey Craig

In 1297, Stirling Bridge was a narrow, wooden bridge. The English commanders believed that this was the quickest and driest way to get to the Scots. Stirling Bridge

Yell of attack from Wallace A Yell of ATTACK from Wallace at the right time. Once 500 English troops had started to cross the bridge Wallace yelled ATTACK!. They were driven back.

The Wooden Bridge carrying the English troops began to collapse. The English in a state of confusion tried to go back across the bridge. The bridge fell beneath them and many soldiers drowned in the River Forth. Many troops got trapped in the marshy muddy ground below the bridge and so were an easy target. Wooden Bridge Collapses

Increasing Number of English Killed Increasing numbers of English troops were killed as they fled from the river. Surrey and the rest of the English army could only watch the slaughter from the other side of the river. They retreated and were harried by the Scots as they fled. Cressingham, the English treasurer was flayed.

Not many Scottish casualties = Victory There were not many Scottish casualties compared to the English. Thousands of English troops were killed. It was a victory for Wallace and Moray.

Explain the reasons why Scotland won the Battle of Stirling Bridge. (5) Describe, in detail, the events of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. (5) EDWARD I, KING OF ENGLAND Why did Wallace win??? E-A-S-Y W-I-N Why did Wallace win??? E-A-S-Y W-I-N ACTIVITY 2