1314
Battle of Bannockburn
The setting
Near Stirling, Scotland, by the Bannock Burn
Low, wet carseland between the Bannock burn and the River Forth, with boggy ground and watercourses constricting any large mounted force.
Reveal the outcome
Recorded sideKingdom of Scotland (Robert the Bruce)
Recorded resultdecisive victory
Decisive Scottish victory over the much larger English army of Edward II.
How the atlas explains it
Bruce chose ground that nullified English numerical and cavalry advantage, then used disciplined schiltrons (dense hedgehogs of long spears) that advanced offensively, something earlier Scottish formations had only used defensively. Cramped on boggy ground, English archers could not be deployed decisively and the cavalry could not break the spear walls.
What followed
Secured Scottish independence in practice and consolidated Robert the Bruce's kingship; one of the most decisive defeats of an English army in the medieval period.