Bannockburn Heritage Centre
http://www.scotland-placestovisit.com/twv//articles/106/1/Bannockburn-Heritage-Centre/Page1.html
By Vikara
Published on 04/23/2009
The battle of Bannockburn is the most famous battle of the Wars of Independence. Robert
I the Bruce defeated the English army of Edward II. The victory was
a decisive one. The Scots were already in position when dawn broke on
the morning of the battle. As they looked down towards the carse
(valley), they saw the English hurriedly preparing for battle.
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The battle of Bannockburn is the most famous battle of the Wars of Independence. Robert I the Bruce defeated the English army of Edward II. The victory was a decisive one. The Scots were already in position when dawn broke on the morning of the battle.
As they looked down towards the carse (valley), they saw the English hurriedly preparing for battle. Robert the Bruce gave one final address to his troops, after which they received their church blessing. Edward laughed aloud, as he mistakenly assumed that the Scots were begging for his mercy. He was told by a man close by, "Yes, they beg ... but not to you."
Despite Edward's army greatly outnumbering the Scotch Army, the battle was practically lost for the English before it had even begun. This was mostly due to lack of co-operation and communication between commanders. Two commanders argued over who was to lead the charge. One called for an advance and rode forward, only to be followed by a few men. The rest of the cavalry did not follow.
Many of the English knights fell foul to the unorganised charging, and were killed outright on the Scottish pikes. The English archers across the gorge where instructed by a panic-stricken superior to fire. But their action proved to be self-defeating, as their arrows not only hit the fighting Scots, but many of their own retreating cavalry.
Despite the partly successful archer attack on the Scots, Robert the Bruce had anticipated well. He signalled to Keith, Marischal of Scotland, who commanded five hundred mounted infantry to charge out of the woods. They routed the archers from the field.
As the English cavalry and archers retreated and fled, the Scots lifted their pikes and slowly advanced. They drove the enemy back. Despite repeated attempts from the English, they were forced further and further back towards a gorge. The fate of Edward's army was now sealed.
Sir James Douglas spotted the escape of Edward. Robert the Bruce gave him permission to follow. Edward set off south and eventually made it to Dunbar Castle. He escaped onto a ship soon afterwards and returned, beaten and humiliated, back south to England.
The Bannockburn Visitor Centre has an audio-visual exhibition allowing visitors to imagine what the battle was like. It shows an aerial view of the battlefield. There is a bronze statue of Robert the Bruce on his horse by the commemorative Rotunda outside. It stands in the region where he killed the English knight, Sir Henry de Bohun, in combat. There is a cafe and a shop where you may buy souvenirs of your visit.
Opening Times
Heritage Centre, shop and café 1st February to 31st March and 1st November to 24th December 10.30am - 4pm 1st April to 31st October 10am- 5.30pm The last audio-visual show is thirty minutes before closing.
Prices
Adult £3.50 Concession £2.60 Adult Group £2.80 Family £9.50
Bannockburn Heritage Centre
Glasgow Road
Stirling, FK7 0LJ
Telephone- 01786 812664
E mail - information@nts.org.uk
Visit website.
The battle of Bannockburn is the most famous battle of the Wars of Independence. Robert I the Bruce defeated the English army of Edward II. The victory was a decisive one. The Scots were already in position when dawn broke on the morning of the battle.
As they looked down towards the carse (valley), they saw the English hurriedly preparing for battle. Robert the Bruce gave one final address to his troops, after which they received their church blessing. Edward laughed aloud, as he mistakenly assumed that the Scots were begging for his mercy. He was told by a man close by, "Yes, they beg ... but not to you."
Despite Edward's army greatly outnumbering the Scotch Army, the battle was practically lost for the English before it had even begun. This was mostly due to lack of co-operation and communication between commanders. Two commanders argued over who was to lead the charge. One called for an advance and rode forward, only to be followed by a few men. The rest of the cavalry did not follow.
Many of the English knights fell foul to the unorganised charging, and were killed outright on the Scottish pikes. The English archers across the gorge where instructed by a panic-stricken superior to fire. But their action proved to be self-defeating, as their arrows not only hit the fighting Scots, but many of their own retreating cavalry.
Despite the partly successful archer attack on the Scots, Robert the Bruce had anticipated well. He signalled to Keith, Marischal of Scotland, who commanded five hundred mounted infantry to charge out of the woods. They routed the archers from the field.
As the English cavalry and archers retreated and fled, the Scots lifted their pikes and slowly advanced. They drove the enemy back. Despite repeated attempts from the English, they were forced further and further back towards a gorge. The fate of Edward's army was now sealed.
Sir James Douglas spotted the escape of Edward. Robert the Bruce gave him permission to follow. Edward set off south and eventually made it to Dunbar Castle. He escaped onto a ship soon afterwards and returned, beaten and humiliated, back south to England.
The Bannockburn Visitor Centre has an audio-visual exhibition allowing visitors to imagine what the battle was like. It shows an aerial view of the battlefield. There is a bronze statue of Robert the Bruce on his horse by the commemorative Rotunda outside. It stands in the region where he killed the English knight, Sir Henry de Bohun, in combat. There is a cafe and a shop where you may buy souvenirs of your visit.
Opening Times
Heritage Centre, shop and café 1st February to 31st March and 1st November to 24th December 10.30am - 4pm 1st April to 31st October 10am- 5.30pm The last audio-visual show is thirty minutes before closing.
Prices
Adult £3.50 Concession £2.60 Adult Group £2.80 Family £9.50
Bannockburn Heritage Centre
Glasgow Road
Stirling, FK7 0LJ
Telephone- 01786 812664
E mail - information@nts.org.uk
Visit website.