We will be exploring the…. BATTLE OF FALKIRK, 22nd JULY 1299

1. We will be exploring the…. BATTLE OF FALKIRK, 22nd JULY 1299

2. 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.

3. 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 • 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.

4. ACTIVITY Using your templates you will create a visual revision guide of the EVENTS of the Battle of Falkirk. Success Criteria: • Included all necessary pictures • Included description of each event.

5. 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 Wallace positioned his army between the loch & the woods EDWARD’S ARMY

6. 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

7. 2 Wallace positioned the Scots into schiltrons 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

8. 3 EDWARD’S ARMY KNIGHTS EDWARD’S ARMY S S S S B B B The Scottish cavalry (knights) fled when Edward advanced LOCH MARSH

9. 4 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY Edward’s men massacred the Scottish archers x x x S S S S B B B LOCH MARSH

10. 5 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY S S S S English knights charged the schiltrons, but could Not initially break through LOCH MARSH

11. 6 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY English archers fired into the Scottish schiltrons and killed many men S S S S LOCH MARSH

12. 7 EDWARD’S ARMY EDWARD’S ARMY S S S S Edward’s men then killed the survivors in the Scottish schiltrons LOCH MARSH

13. 8 The Scots were heavily defeated

14. Explain the reasons why the English won at the Battle of Falkirk? • Pitched battle on open ground, a mistake by Wallace (English close to mutiny) • English advantages as regards size of army - 2000 knights, 12,000 infantry • English better equipped - Longbow men who were experienced in battle • Leadership of Edward I - experienced and ruthless general • Disloyalty/panic of Scots nobles who fled leaving Scots archers unprotected Plockton High School

15. Source A was written by the English chronicler, Walter of Guisborough in 1299. On one side of a little hill close to Falkirk, the Scots placed their soldiers in four round circles with their pikes held outwards at an angle. Between these circles, which are called schiltrons, were the archers and behind them was the cavalry. When our men attacked, the Scots horsemen fled without striking a sword’s blow. Assess the usefulness of Source A as evidence about what happened at Falkirk? (5)

16. Why did things get worse for Scotland? Title: The Scottish Collapse

17. 1. Robert Bruce made his peace with Edward Bruce had changed sides many times • Defended Carlisle for King Edward during reign of King John • Joined the Scots to help William Wallace • Became joint Guardian with Comyn after Wallace resigned • Resigned as Guardian after a year probably because he disliked Comyn • Perhaps he now supported Edward because there was talk of bringing back King John

18. 2. King of France made peace with Edward • French army was defeated • May 1303 French and English signed a peace treaty from which the Scots were excluded • Scots lost an important ally • Edward could now concentrate his full military strength on Scotland

19. 3. Pope reduced his support for the Scots • King of France had upset him • He took this out on the Scots

20. 4. Edward returned to Scotland • Aimed to recapture the north of Scotland • Stayed at Dunfermline for the winter of 1303-4 • Recaptured Stirling Castle • Spring-Summer 1304 important Scots surrendered

21. 5. Edward reorganised the government of Scotland By 1305, Edward: Made important Scots promise to capture Wallace in return for…. • Getting back their lands and possessions. • Being involved in government discussions.

22. Sources A & B describe the aftermath of the Battle of Falkirk. After Falkirk, the cause of independence diminished. Not only had the Pope reduced his support, but the French had made peace with England. This meant that Edward could concentrate all his efforts on Scotland. With castles now under Edward’s control, the Scots had little chance of success. After the disaster of 1299 Scotland was in a terrible way. England was no longer at war with France and her army was focused on breaking the Scots. Edward had now captured prominent Scottish castles, such as Stirling and forced many nobles to surrender. He was determined to capture Wallace. Compare the views in Sources A & B about the Scottish collapse (4)

23. Describe, in detail, the Scottish Collapse. (5)