Stirling Bridge and Falkirk 1297–98: William Wallace’s rebellion (Campaign)

Osprey's study of William Wallace's campaign in the First War of Scottish Independence (1296-1357). The death of the last of the Scottish royal house of Canmore in 1290 triggered a succession crisis. Attempts to undermine Scottish independence by King Edward I of England sparked open resistance, culminating in an English defeat at the hands of William Wallace at Stirling Bridge in 1297. Edward gathered an army, marched north and at Falkirk on 22 July 1298 he brought Wallace's army to battle. Amid accusations of treachery, Wallace's spearmen were slaughtered by Edward's longbowmen, then charged by the English cavalry and almost annihilated. In 1305 Wallace was captured and executed, but the flame he had ignited could not be extinguished. The Death Of The Last Of The Royal House Of Canmore Triggered A Succession Crisis In Scotland. Subsequent Attempts By King Edward I To Undermine Scottish Independence Sparked Open Rebellion, Led By William Wallace, That Culminated In An English Defeat At Stirling Bridge. Edward Gathered An Army, Marched North, And At Falkirk He Brought Wallace's Army To Battle. Amid Accusations Of Treachery, Wallace's Spearmen Were Slaughtered By Edward's Longbowmen, Then Charged By The English Cavalry And Almost Annihilated. In 1305 Wallace Was Captured And Executed But The Flame Of Rebellion He Had Ignited Could Not Be Extinguished--page 4 Of Cover. Origins Of The Campaign -- Chronology -- Opposing Commanders -- Opposing Armies -- The Campaign Of 1297 -- The Battle Of Stirling Bridge -- The Campaign Of 1298 -- The Battle Of Falkirk -- Aftermath -- The Battlefields Today. Pete Armstrong ; Illustrated By Angus Mcbride. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 94) And Index. The death of the last of the Scottish royal house of Canmore in 1290 triggered a succession crisis. Attempts to undermine Scottish independence by King Edward I of England sparked open rebellion culminating in an English defeat at the hands of William Wallace at Stirling Bridge in 1297. Edward gathered an army, marched north and at Falkirk on 22 July 1298 he brought Wallace's army to battle. Amid accusations of treachery, Wallace's spearmen were slaughtered by Edward's longbowmen, then charged by the English cavalry and almost annihilated. In 1305 Wallace was captured and executed, but the flame of rebellion he had ignited could not be extinguished. 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. The night of 18 March 1286 was to prove a fateful one for Scotland.