7. battle of falkirk and continuing resistance
TRANSCRIPT
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.