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The English army consisted of around 17,000 men made up as follows : Heavy cavalry, well equipped with chain mail and armour , a 12ft lance and a mace or battle axe as a close combat weapon. Archers carried a long bow, 24 arrows and a dagger as a personal weapon. They were enlisted from Wales, Ireland and mid and northern England. Foot soldiers carried a 12ft spear, a shield and a sword. The Scottish forces consisted of only about 5,500 men. They were divided into 4 divisions of foot and his horsemen into a small body of around 500 light cavalry. Robert the Bruce himself commanded the 4th division which was the strongest of the four.On 17th June the English army marched to Edinburgh to collect supplies. On the 22nd they reached Falkirk and rested overnight. The next day they followed the Roman Road to Stirling – leaving Edward II 2 days to relieve the castle Bruce had planned well – he had dug camouflaged pits and laid calthrops to maim the enemy cavalry. The Scots position had been well chosen – it covered Stirling Castle and forced Edward to attack either on wooded terrain or to risk going round the boggy carse. |
English Archer |
