Topographical, statistical, and historical gazetteer of Scotland > Volume 1

BANNOCKBURN.
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inconsiderable ; some assert that it amounted only to a
single yeoman. Randolph and his company, covered
with dust and glory, returned to the camp, amidst
acclamations of joy. To perpetuate the memory of
the victory, two large stones were erected in the
Held — where they are still to be seen — at the north
end of the village of Newhouse, about a quarter of
a mile from the south port of Stirling. Another in-
cident happened, in the same day, which contributed
greatly to inspirit the Scots forces. King Robert,
according to Barbour, was ill mounted, carrying a
battle-axe, and, on his bassinet-helmet, wearing, for
distinction, a crown. Thus externally distinguished,
he was riding upon a little palfrey, in front of his
foremost line, regulating their order ; when an English
knight, who was ranked amongst the bravest in Ed-
ward's army, Sir Henry de Bohun, came galloping
furiously up to him, to engage him in single combat;
expecting, by this act of chivalry, to end the contest,
and gain immortal fame. But the enterprising cham-
pion, having missed his blow, was instantly struck
dead by the king, who raising himself in his stirrups,
as his assailant passed, with one blow of his battle-
axe cleft his head in two, shivering the handle of his
own weapon with the violence of the blow. The
Scottish chiefs remonstrated with their king for
having so rashly exposed his precious life. He felt
the justice of their censures at so critical a junc-
ture, but playfully evaded further confession by
affecting to be chiefly concerned for the loss of his
good battle-axe. The incident is thus recorded by
Barbour: —
" And quhen Glosyster and Herfnrd war
With thair bataiJI, approchand ner,
Befor thaitn all thar come rydand,
With helm on heid, and sper in hand
Schyr Henry the Boune, the worthi,
That wes a wycht Unycht, and a hardy ;
And to the Erie off Herfurd eusyne ;
Armyt in armys gud and fyne;
Come on a sted, a bow schnte ner,
Befor alt othyr that thar wer :
And knew the King, lor that he saw
Him swa rang his men on raw ;
And by the crouue, that wes set
Alsoa apon his bassynet.
And towart him he went in hy.
And [qnhen3 the King sua apertly
Saw him cum, forouth all hid fens,
In hy till him the linrs he steris.
And quhen Schyr Henry saw the King
Cum on, for owtyn abaysiug.
Till him he raid in full gret hy.
He thoucht that he suid Weill lyclitly
Wyn hun, and liaf him at lus will,
Sen he hun horsyt saw sa ill.
tjpreut thai samyn in till a ling.
Schyr Henry ru>ssit the noble king.
Ami lie, that in his sterapys stud,
With the ax that wes hard and gud,
With sa gret mayne raucht him a dynt,
'I hat nothyr hat, na helm, mycht stynt
The hewy dusche that he him gave,
That ner the held till the harnys clave.
The hand ax sehaft fru^chit in twa ;
And he duune to the erd gan ga
All Hatlynys, for him faillyt mycht.
This wes the fryst strak ofi the fycht"
The heroic achievement performed by their king be-
fore their ej es, raised the spirits of the Scots to the
highest pitch.
The day was now far spent, and as Edward did
not seem inclined to press a general engagement, but
bad drawn off to the low grounds to the right and
rear of his original position, the Scots army passed
the night in arms upon the field. Next morning, being
Monday, the 24th of June, all was early in motion on
both sides. Religious sentiments in the Scots were
mingled with military ardour. A solemn mass was
pronounced by Maurice, abbot of Inchaffray ; who also
administered the sacrament to the king, and the great
officers about him, while inferior priests did the same
to the rest of the army. Then, after a sober repast,
they formed in order of battle, in a tract of ground,
now called Nether Touchadam, which lies along the
declivity of a gently rising hill, about a mile due
south from Stirling castle. This situation had been
previously chosen on account of its advantages.
Upon the right, they had a range of steep rocks,
whither the baggage-men had retired, and which,
from this circumstance, has been called Gillie's or
Servant's hill. In their front were the steep banks
of the rivulet of Bannock. Upon the left lay a
morass, now called Milton bog, from its vicinity to the
small village of that name. Much of this bog is still
undrained ; and part of it is now a mill-pond. As it
was then the middle of summer, it was almost quite
dry; but Robert had recourse to a stratagem, to
J prevent any attack from that quarter. He had,
some time before, ordered number of pits to be dug
in the morass and the fields on the left, and covered
with green turf supported by stakes, so as to exhibit
the appearance of firm ground. These pits were a
fout in breadth, and from two to three feet deep,
and placed so close together as to resemble the cells
in a honeycomb. It does not appear, however, that
the English attempted to charge over this dangerous
ground during the conflict, the great struggle being
made considerably to the right of this ground. He
also made calthrops be scattered there ; some of which
have been found in the memory of people yet alive.
By these means, added to the natural strength of the
ground, the Scottish army stood as within an intrench-
ment. Barbour, who lived near those times, mentions
a park with trees, through which the English had to
pass, before they could attack the Scots ; and says,
that Robert chose this situation, that, besides other
advantages, the trees might prove an impediment to
the enemy's cavalry. The improvements of agricul-
ture, and other accidents, have, in the lapse of four
hundred years, much altered the face of this, as well
as other parts of the country : vestiges, however, of
this paik still remain, and numerous stumps of trees are
seen all around the held where the battle was fought.
A farm-house, situated almost in the middle, goes by
the name of the Park ; and a mill built upon the
south bank of the rivulet, nearly opposite to where
the centre of Robert's army stood, is known by the
name of Park-mill. The Scottish army was drawn
| up in four divisions, and their front extended near
a mile in length. The right wing, which was upon
the highest ground, and was strengthened by a body
of cavalry under Keith, Maischal of Scotland, was
commanded by Edward Bruce; the king's brother.
The left was posted on the low grounds, near the
morass, under the direction of Walter, Lord-High-
Steward, and Sir James Douglas, both of whom had
that morning been knighted by their sovereign. Bruce
himself took the command of the reserve, which was
drawn up immediately behind the centre. Along with
him was a body of 500 cavalry well-armed and mount-
ed ; all the rest of the Scottish army were on foot.
The enemy were fast approaching in three great
bodies, led on by the English monarch in person, and
by the earls of Hereford and Gloucester, who were
ranked among the best generals that England could
then produce. Their centre was formed of infantry,
and the wings of cavalry, many of u hom were armed
j cap-a-pee. Squadrons of archers were also planted
j upon the wings, and at certain distances along the
front. Edward was attended by two knignts, Sir
Giles de Argentine, and Sir Aymer de Vallance, who
rode, according to the phrase of these da} s, at his
bridle. That monarch, who had imagined that the
Scots would never face his formidable host, was
much astonished when he beheld their order and
determined resolution to give him battle. As he
expressed his surprise, Sir Ingram Umfravillo took