The Battle of Stirling Bridge

1st September

Lesson aim:

• Discuss the Battle of Stirling Bridge!!

The Facts

• When? 11th December 1297

• Where? Stirling Bridge, Stirlingshire.

• Who?5,000 Scotsmen led by William Wallace

vs. 12,000 English trained soldiers led by John de Warenne

Wallace’s army was mainly infantry (soldiers on foot) with spears.

The English army had knights (men on horseback with armour).

1 Wallace’s army is standing on a hill, so they have a good view

over the ‘battlefield’.

Edward’s Army

Wallace’s Army

2The English begin to move across the narrow bridge.

Edward’s Army

Wallace’s Army

3Finally, more than half the English army has crossed the bridge.

Edward’s Army

Wallace’s Army

4Wallace’s men begin to rush down the hill.

Edward’s Army

Wallace’s Army

5The Scots trap the Englishmen in the bend of the river…

Edward’s Army

Wallace’s Army

What do you think happened next?

After the Battle…

Wallace went to the north of England – he and his men burnt around 715 villages, murdering innocent people.

Wallace encouraged European traders to come back to Scotland – he promised it was safe.

The myth of English power, that their army was too powerful to overcome, was destroyed.

EDWARD WAS HUMILIATED (ashamed) AND NOW DETERMINED TO CRUSH THE SCOTS.

The Wallace Monument, 1869