William Wallace was a brave warrior, fighting the English for the freedom of the Scots. Starting with only a small militia, Wallace's supporting forces grew to a full blown army taking back Scotland and ravaging the English North. Wallace’s leadership contributed immensely through many overwhelming victories for Scotland’s independence and for the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328, the document giving the Scots their freedom, 23 years after his death. Even today, almost 711 years later, he is considered a hero and an epitome of success. But how did his leadership effect Scotland’s quest for freedom?
UNFINSHED *CHILDHOOD*Wallace was born around Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland in 1270 to a landowning farmer of low, yet aristocratic …show more content…
At this point, Edward I, the King of England and the wrongful ruler of Scotland, was filled with rage by the Scots’ actions and sent the Earl of Surrey, John de Warrene to command his army along with the hated English treasurer of Scotland, Sir Hugh de Cressingham. As they drew closer to Stirling, the Scots watched them patiently for the right moment to strike. According to Education Scotland, “the English army had between 200 to 300 cavalry and 10,000 foot soldiers…” (Education Scotland: The Battle of Stirling Bridge), outnumbering the scotts by almost 2,300 men. The next morning, John de Warrene called a Council of War. The Scottish knight, Richard Lundie - fighting for the English - was quoted as saying, “My Lords, if we go on to the bridge we are dead men.” (Education Scotland: The Battle of Stirling Bridge), Cressingham urged Warrene to cross the bridge and kill the Scots, then and there. In the coming hours, the English cavalry slowly crossed the bridge accompanied by foot soldiers and bowmen. The Scots saw their moment to strike and took it; the Scottish commanders sent down soldiers to attack the English directly and another group to cut off the back of the bridge. Within the hour, the trapped English soldiers were dead. The English admitting defeat, ran from the Scots, …show more content…
Edward himself marched with an army of 1500 knights and men-at-arms, and 12,000 veteran foot soldiers. This alone would be enough to leave the Scots panicked and running, but the English had a secret weapon on their side, “His army also brought a devastating new weapon - the English longbow - and a host of English and Welsh archers.” (educationscotland: The Battle of Falkirk). A dangerous weapon of the middle ages, the longbow is well known for it’s effect of the Hundred-years war between the English and the French. Although the English had a massive battle advantage, the English had war waged on them before they even met the Scots. Wallace had put in place a, “scorched-earth” policy, leaving the path to the Scots barren. Not only that, but the Welsh under English command revolted and were killed, shortening Edward’s army by a small, yet detrimental amount. Edward soon on his path through Scotland received word that Wallace and his army were camped near Falkirk and led his men to them. The Scots were tremendously outnumbered and lacking in special troops including cavalry and archers, food, and resources. The Scots formed four massive schiltrons or, “a ‘great circle’ - a battle formation with as many as 2000 men carrying massive 12-foot-long spears. They formed huge circles or rectangles that bristled with spears like a giant
UNFINSHED *CHILDHOOD*Wallace was born around Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland in 1270 to a landowning farmer of low, yet aristocratic …show more content…
At this point, Edward I, the King of England and the wrongful ruler of Scotland, was filled with rage by the Scots’ actions and sent the Earl of Surrey, John de Warrene to command his army along with the hated English treasurer of Scotland, Sir Hugh de Cressingham. As they drew closer to Stirling, the Scots watched them patiently for the right moment to strike. According to Education Scotland, “the English army had between 200 to 300 cavalry and 10,000 foot soldiers…” (Education Scotland: The Battle of Stirling Bridge), outnumbering the scotts by almost 2,300 men. The next morning, John de Warrene called a Council of War. The Scottish knight, Richard Lundie - fighting for the English - was quoted as saying, “My Lords, if we go on to the bridge we are dead men.” (Education Scotland: The Battle of Stirling Bridge), Cressingham urged Warrene to cross the bridge and kill the Scots, then and there. In the coming hours, the English cavalry slowly crossed the bridge accompanied by foot soldiers and bowmen. The Scots saw their moment to strike and took it; the Scottish commanders sent down soldiers to attack the English directly and another group to cut off the back of the bridge. Within the hour, the trapped English soldiers were dead. The English admitting defeat, ran from the Scots, …show more content…
Edward himself marched with an army of 1500 knights and men-at-arms, and 12,000 veteran foot soldiers. This alone would be enough to leave the Scots panicked and running, but the English had a secret weapon on their side, “His army also brought a devastating new weapon - the English longbow - and a host of English and Welsh archers.” (educationscotland: The Battle of Falkirk). A dangerous weapon of the middle ages, the longbow is well known for it’s effect of the Hundred-years war between the English and the French. Although the English had a massive battle advantage, the English had war waged on them before they even met the Scots. Wallace had put in place a, “scorched-earth” policy, leaving the path to the Scots barren. Not only that, but the Welsh under English command revolted and were killed, shortening Edward’s army by a small, yet detrimental amount. Edward soon on his path through Scotland received word that Wallace and his army were camped near Falkirk and led his men to them. The Scots were tremendously outnumbered and lacking in special troops including cavalry and archers, food, and resources. The Scots formed four massive schiltrons or, “a ‘great circle’ - a battle formation with as many as 2000 men carrying massive 12-foot-long spears. They formed huge circles or rectangles that bristled with spears like a giant