Stirling Bridge and Falkirk 1297–98: William Wallace’s Rebellion

Osprey Campaign #117

by Pete Armstrong, Lee Johnson (Editor), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: History, Military History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Scotland

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2003

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you always wanted to know about Braveheart and everything you did not.
Raise your hand if the film wasn't your gateway drug to the Scottish Wars around 1300.

Peter Armstrong has to work with sources full of holes (Blind Harry's poem on Wallace isn't a solid foundation) but he patches them up a bit with his own artwork, reproducing contemporary illustrations next to Angus Mc Bride's. See the historical William Wallace, in full armour as a member of the (lower) nobility, the only damn way you get A) military training B) command C) support in the Middle Ages.

The bitter pill is the contrast between Stirling Bridge (slaughtering the vanguard of the English invasion force in a river loop) & Falkirk (shiltron circular phalanxes showered with arrows) and those two generic pastures used in the movies. Armstrong walks the ground with photos, working up your appetite for a visit.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The closest thing you can get to cold hard facts about the mythic William Wallace and the legendary battle of Stirling Bridge and the tragic defeat at Falkirk. Even though its written completely dispassionately, its totally impossible not to get caught up in the drama between William Wallace and Edward I. Both historical titans out for blood. What surprises me most about both battles is the untapped cinematic potential that wasn't tapped for either in the admittedly masterclass (but totally inaccurate) BRAVEHEART. The tension of the Scots waiting on the abbey Craig for just enough British calvary to cross Stirling Bridge makes for great tension, and would've been a spectacular backdrop on the screen. The spear battle formations at Falkirk are equally brilliant on Wallace's part, and the only chance he had against a vastly superior enemy... it kind of worked, until it totally didn't when a storm of arrows sent his army into chaos.

An awesome read that really allowed me to see how the battle worked with incredible illustrations and descriptions. Enjoyed and recommend.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fair description of the battles can be found here in this volume, but I myself would of liked to have more details of the battle and the personalities (beyond the top eschalon). The big picture maps are good and the battle maps seemed to lack a bit to me but maybe I am nitpicking. I would of definitely liked to have seen more coat of arms perhaps as an index of those who fought simply because heraldry is really a big part of the history of the people who fought in the battles but only a handful of them appear through the work. Most of the photos are landscape shots and although they are interesting could of been used to show more pertinent pictures.

[Andrew Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the campaign of Edward I against William Wallace. Armstrong has lots of knowledge to apply from his figure sculpting business. The format of the Osprey Campaign books is such that there is a lot of repetition in the text. But it is a well-written book with lots of good information. The illustrations are from late in Angus McBride's career. They are good, not great, unlike some of his earlier work. Nonetheless we see lots of well-rendered heraldry.

I've already started the Bannockburn book by Armstrong.

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-written, magnificent illustrations.