Campaign
3 total works
The death of King Alexander III of Scotland and his only direct descendant Margaret, "Maid of Norway", triggered a succession crisis in Scotland. King Edward I of England was asked to arbitrate. This work covers how Edward's attempts to undermine Scottish independence led to Scottish unrest. In May 1297 William Wallace murdered the Sheriff of Lanark, sparking open revolt. Defeating the English at Stirling Bridge, Wallace led his men into battle with the returned Edward I at Falkirk on 22 July 1298. Amid accusations of treachery, Wallace's spearmen were practically annihilated, leading to Wallace's execution and a re-establishment of Scottish control by Edward and his men.
The full story surrounding the battle that represented the climax of the career of King Robert the Bruce, and has since remained the most famous battle in Scottish history - the Battle of Bannockburn. In 1307 King Edward I of England, "The Hammer of the Scots" and William Wallace's nemesis, died at Burgh-on-Sands. His son, Edward II, was not from the same mould; incorrigibly idle and apathetic, he refused to take on the burdens of kingship, surrounding himself with favourites. The Scots under Robert the Bruce now had a chance to recover from the grievous punishment Edward I had inflicted upon them. By 1313 Bruce had capture every English-held castle bar Stirling. Faced with the complete collapse of the English position in Scotland even Edward II had no choice but to respond.
In his "Chronicles", Froissart described Otterburn as the best fought and the most severe battle of his time. Fought at Redesdale, in Northumberland, in August 1388, the battle originated from the ongoing war between the Scots and the English but rapidly descended into a personal feud between the Scottish clan, Douglas, and the aristocratic English family, Percy. This book details the events that led up to this clash on the borders, using all the contemporary sources, gives a full account of the battle and examines the opposing armies motivations, training and weaponry, as well as the personalities of Black Douglas and Henry 'Hotspur' Percy.